Video coding method and device, video decoding method and device

ABSTRACT

Provided are image decoding/encoding methods and apparatuses for increasing coding efficiency and reducing complexity while using a flexible tree split. The image decoding method includes: obtaining, from a bitstream, a bin string corresponding to a split shape mode of a coding unit; determining a split rule of the coding unit; and splitting the coding unit into a plurality of coding units, based on at least one of the split rule and the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode, wherein the determining of the split rule includes: determining an allowable first range of a size of the coding unit according to a ratio of a width and a height of the coding unit; and determining an allowable second range of the size of the coding unit according to the split shape mode of the coding unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/622,043 filed Dec. 12, 2019, which is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/KR2018/003760 filed on Mar. 30, 2018, which claims priority to Provisional U.S. Application No. 62/529,163 filed on Jul. 6, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A method and apparatus according to an embodiment may encode or decode an image by using various shapes of coding units included in an image.

BACKGROUND ART

With the development and supply of hardware capable of reproducing and storing high resolution or high quality image content, the need for a codec capable of effectively encoding or decoding such high resolution or high quality image content has increased. The encoded image content may be reproduced by being decoded. Recently, methods of effectively compressing such high resolution or high quality image content have been implemented. For example, an efficient image compression method is implemented through a process of arbitrarily processing an image to be encoded.

In order to compress an image, various data units may be used and an inclusion relationship may be present between the data units. A data unit may be split according to various methods to determine a size of a data unit used for image compression, and the image may be encoded or decoded by determining an optimized data unit according to characteristics of the image.

The data unit may be determined by recursively performing a flexible tree split. The flexible tree split may include a binary split, a tri split, or a quad split. Also, the data unit optimized for coding may be determined according to the characteristics of the image by allowing a square data unit and a non-square data unit. However, complexity of coding may be increased because various split shapes and various shapes of data units are used. Thus, image decoding/coding methods and apparatuses for increasing a coding efficiency and reducing the complexity while using the flexible tree split are required.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Solution to Problem

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an image decoding method includes: obtaining, from a bitstream, a bin string corresponding to a split shape mode of a coding unit; determining a split rule of the coding unit; and splitting the coding unit into a plurality of coding units, based on at least one of the split rule and the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode. The determining of the split rule includes: determining an allowable first range of a size of the coding unit according to a ratio of a width and a height of the coding unit; and determining an allowable second range of the size of the coding unit according to the split shape mode of the coding unit.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the split rule may be determined based on information obtained from the bitstream.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the split shape mode may include at least one of a binary split, a tri split, or a quad split.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the splitting of the coding unit into the plurality of coding units may include: quad-splitting a largest coding unit into a coding unit of a first size without the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode; and splitting the coding unit of the first size into the plurality of coding units, based on the split rule and the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the split rule may be determined for each complexity level of an image.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the splitting of the coding unit into the plurality of coding units may further include: obtaining a candidate split shape mode applicable to a current coding unit, based on the split rule; determining information about a split shape mode of the current coding unit, based on at least one of the candidate split shape mode, the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode, and block shape information of the current coding unit; and splitting the current coding unit based on the information about the split shape mode.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an image decoding apparatus includes at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform: obtaining, from a bitstream, a bin string corresponding to a split shape mode of a coding unit; determining a split rule of the coding unit; and splitting the coding unit into a plurality of coding units, based on at least one of the split rule and the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode. The determining of the split rule includes: determining an allowable first range of a size of the coding unit according to a ratio of a width and a height of the coding unit; and determining an allowable second range of the size of the coding unit according to the split shape mode of the coding unit.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an image encoding method includes: determining a split rule of a coding unit; obtaining a bin string corresponding a split shape mode for splitting a coding unit into a plurality of coding units, based on at least one of the split rule and information about a split shape mode of the coding unit; and generating a bitstream by entropy-coding the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode, wherein the determining of the split rule includes: determining an allowable first range of a size of the coding unit according to a ratio of a width and a height of the coding unit; and determining an allowable second range of the size of the coding unit according to the split shape mode of the coding unit.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image encoding method may further include generating the bitstream based on the split rule.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the split shape mode may include at least one of a binary split, a tri split, or a quad split.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image encoding method may further include: quad-splitting a largest coding unit into a coding unit of a first size; and generating information about the split shape mode for splitting the coding unit of the first size into the plurality of coding units, based on the split rule.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the split rule may be determined for each complexity level of an image.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the obtaining of the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode may further include: obtaining a candidate split shape mode applicable to a current coding unit, based on the split rule; obtaining information about a split shape mode of the current coding unit; and obtaining the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode, based on at least one of block shape information of the current coding unit, the candidate split shape mode, and the information about the split shape mode.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an image encoding apparatus includes: at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to perform: determining a split rule of a coding unit; obtaining a bin string corresponding a split shape mode for splitting a current coding unit into a plurality of coding units, based on at least one of the split rule and information about a split shape mode of the coding unit; and generating a bitstream based on the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode, wherein the determining of the split rule includes: determining an allowable first range of a size of the coding unit according to a ratio of a width and a height of the coding unit; and determining an allowable second range of the size of the coding unit according to the split shape mode of the coding unit.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a computer-readable recording medium may have recorded thereon a computer program for performing the image decoding method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image decoding apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an image decoding method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process, performed by an image decoding apparatus, of determining at least one coding unit by splitting a current coding unit, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process, performed by an image decoding apparatus, of determining at least one coding unit by splitting a non-square coding unit, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process, performed by an image decoding apparatus, of splitting a coding unit based on at least one of block shape information and split shape information, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method, performed by an image decoding apparatus, of determining a predetermined coding unit from among an odd number of coding units, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an order of processing a plurality of coding units when an image decoding apparatus determines the plurality of coding units by splitting a current coding unit, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a process, performed by an image decoding apparatus, of determining that a current coding unit is to be split into an odd number of coding units, when the coding units are not processable in a predetermined order, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process, performed by an image decoding apparatus, of determining at least one coding unit by splitting a first coding unit, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates that a shape into which a second coding unit is splittable is restricted when the second coding unit having a non-square shape, which is determined when an image decoding apparatus splits a first coding unit, satisfies a predetermined condition, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a process, performed by an image decoding apparatus, of splitting a square coding unit when information about a split shape mode is unable to indicate that the square coding unit is split into four square coding units, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates that a processing order between a plurality of coding units may be changed depending on a process of splitting a coding unit, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a process of determining a depth of a coding unit as a shape and size of the coding unit change, when the coding unit is recursively split such that a plurality of coding units are determined, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates depths that are determinable based on shapes and sizes of coding units, and part indexes (PIDs) that are for distinguishing the coding units, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates that a plurality of coding units are determined based on a plurality of predetermined data units included in a picture, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a processing block serving as a criterion for determining a determination order of reference coding units included in a picture, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing block shape information according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing block shape information according to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing a process of determining a context model according to block shape information, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing a method of determining a context model, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram for describing a method of determining a context model, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an image encoding apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of an image encoding method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for describing a method of splitting a current coding unit, according to an embodiment.

MODE OF DISCLOSURE

Advantages and features of one or more embodiments and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the embodiments of the disclosure may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the present embodiments of the disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The terms used in the specification will be briefly defined, and the embodiments will be described in detail.

All terms including descriptive or technical terms which are used herein should be construed as having meanings that are obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, the terms may have different meanings according to the intention of one of ordinary skill in the art, precedent cases, or the appearance of new technologies. Also, some terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning of the selected terms will be described in detail in the detailed description of the disclosure. Thus, the terms used herein have to be defined based on the meaning of the terms together with the description throughout the specification.

In the following specification, the singular forms include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

When a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there is a particular description contrary thereto, the part may further include other elements, not excluding the other elements.

In the following description, terms such as “unit” indicate a software or hardware component and the “unit” performs certain functions. However, the “unit” is not limited to software or hardware. The “unit” may be formed so as to be in an addressable storage medium, or may be formed so as to operate one or more processors. Thus, for example, the term “unit” may refer to components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, and may include processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, micro codes, circuits, data, a database, data structures, tables, arrays, or variables. A function provided by the components and “units” may be associated with the smaller number of components and “units”, or may be divided into additional components and “units”.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the “unit” may include a processor and a memory. The term “processor” should be interpreted broadly to include a general purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, and the like. In some circumstances, the “processor” may refer to an application specific semiconductor (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The term “processor” may refer to a combination of processing devices such as, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a combination of a plurality of microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or a combination of any other such configuration.

The term “memory” should be interpreted broadly to include any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. The term “memory” may refer to various types of processor-readable media, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erase-programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, a magnetic or optical data storage device, a register, and the like. When the processor can read information from a memory and/or write information to the memory, the memory is said to be in an electronic communication state with the processor. The memory integrated in the processor is in an electronic communication state with the processor.

Hereinafter, an “image” may be a static image such as a still image of a video or may be a dynamic image such as a moving image, that is, the video itself.

Hereinafter, a “sample” denotes data assigned to a sampling position of an image, i.e., data to be processed. For example, pixel values of an image in a spatial domain and transform coefficients on a transform domain may be samples. A unit including at least one such sample may be defined as a block.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that one of ordinary skill in the art may easily implement the embodiments. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted to clearly describe the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, an image encoding apparatus and an image decoding apparatus, and an image encoding method and an image decoding method according to embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 24. A method of determining a data unit of an image, according to an embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 through 16, and an encoding or decoding method and apparatus for adaptively selecting a context model, based on various shapes of coding unit, according to an embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 17 through 24.

Hereinafter, the method and apparatus for adaptively selecting a context model, based on various shapes of coding unit, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an image decoding apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may include a receiver 110 and a decoder 120. The receiver 110 and the decoder 120 may include at least one processor. Also, the receiver 110 and the decoder 120 may include a memory storing instructions to be performed by the at least one processor.

The receiver 110 may receive a bitstream. The bitstream includes information of an image encoded by an image encoding apparatus 2200 described later. Also, the bitstream may be transmitted from the image encoding apparatus 2200. The image encoding apparatus 2200 and the image decoding apparatus 100 may be connected via wires or wirelessly, and the receiver 110 may receive the bitstream via wires or wirelessly. The receiver 110 may receive the bitstream from a storage medium, such as an optical medium or a hard disk. The decoder 120 may reconstruct an image based on information obtained from the received bitstream. The decoder 120 may obtain, from the bitstream, a syntax element for reconstructing the image. The decoder 120 may reconstruct the image based on the syntax element.

Operations of the image decoding apparatus 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an image decoding method according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the receiver 110 receives a bitstream.

The image decoding apparatus 100 obtains, from a bitstream, a bin string corresponding to a split shape mode of a coding unit (operation 210). The image decoding apparatus 100 determines a split rule of the coding unit (operation 220). Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 splits the coding unit into a plurality of coding units, based on at least one of the split rule and the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable first range of a size of the coding unit, according to a ratio of the width and the height of the coding unit, so as to determine the split rule. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable second range of the size of the coding unit, according to the split shape mode of the coding unit, so as to determine the split rule.

Hereinafter, splitting of a coding unit will be described in detail according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The image may be split into largest coding units. The size of the largest coding unit may be determined based on information obtained from the bitstream. The shapes of the largest coding units may be squares of the same sizes. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. Also, the largest coding unit may be hierarchically split into coding units, based on information about the split shape mode obtained from the bitstream. The information about the split shape mode may include at least one of information indicating whether to perform splitting, split direction information, and split type information. The information indicating whether to perform splitting indicates whether to split a coding unit. The split direction information indicates a split into one of a horizontal direction or a vertical direction. The split type information indicates that a coding unit is split via one of a binary split, a tri split, or a quad split.

For example, the information (split_mode) about the split shape mode may indicate that a current coding unit is not split (NO_SPLIT). Also, the information about the split shape mode may include a quad split (QUAD_SPLIT). Also, the information about the split shape mode may indicate a binary vertical split (BI_VER_SPLIT). Also, the information about the split shape mode may indicate a binary vertical split (BI_VER_SPLIT). Also, the information about the split shape mode may indicate a binary horizontal split (BI_HOR_SPLIT). Also, the information about the split shape mode may indicate a tri vertical split (TRI_VER_SPLIT). Also, the information about the split shape mode may indicate a tri horizontal split (TRI_HOR_SPLIT).

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain, from the bitstream, the information about the split shape mode as one bin string. A form of the bitstream received by the image decoding apparatus 100 may include fixed length binary code, unary code, truncated unary code, pre-determined binary code, or the like. The bin string is information in a binary number. The bin string may include at least one bit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the information about the split shape mode corresponding to the bin string, based on the split rule. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether to split a coding unit, a split direction, and a split type, based on one bin string.

The coding unit may be smaller than or same as the largest coding unit. For example, when the information about the split shape mode indicates not to perform splitting, the coding unit has the same size as the largest coding unit. When the information about the split shape mode indicates to perform splitting, the largest coding unit may be split into coding units. Also, when the information about the split shape mode of the coding unit indicates to perform splitting, the coding unit may be split into smaller coding units. However, the splitting of the image is not limited thereto, and the largest coding unit and the coding unit may not be distinguished. The splitting of the coding unit will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 through 16.

The coding unit may be split into a prediction unit for prediction of the image. The prediction unit may be the same as or smaller than the coding unit. Also, the coding unit may be split into a transform unit for transform of the image. The transform unit may be the same as or smaller than the coding unit. The shapes and sizes of the transform unit and prediction unit may not be related to each other. The coding unit may be distinguished from the prediction unit and the transform unit, but the coding unit, the prediction unit, and the transform unit may be the same. Splitting of the prediction unit and transform unit may be performed in the same manner as the splitting of the coding unit. The splitting of the coding unit will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 through 16. A current block and a peripheral block of the disclosure may indicate one of the largest coding unit, the coding unit, the prediction unit, and the transform unit. Also, the current block of the current coding unit is a block that is currently being decoded or encoded or a block that is currently being split. The peripheral block may be a block reconstructed before the current block. The peripheral block may be adjacent to the current block spatially or temporally. The peripheral block may be located at one of the bottom left, left, top left, top, top right, right, bottom right of the current block.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process, performed by the image decoding apparatus 100, of determining at least one coding unit by splitting a current coding unit, according to an embodiment.

A block shape may include 4N×4N, 4N×2N, 2N×4N, 4N×N, or N×4N. Here, N may be a positive integer. Block shape information is information indicating at least one of a shape, direction, a ratio of width and height, or size of a coding unit.

The shape of the coding unit may include a square and a non-square. When the lengths of the width and height of the coding unit are the same (i.e., when the block shape of the coding unit is 4N×4N), the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the block shape information of the coding unit as a square. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the shape of the coding unit to be a non-square.

When the lengths of the width and height of the coding unit are different (i.e., when the block shape of the coding unit is 4N×2N, 2N×4N, 4N×N, or N×4N), the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the block shape information of the coding unit as a non-square. When the shape of the coding unit is non-square, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the ratio of the width and height among the block shape information of the coding unit to be at least one of 1:2, 2:1, 1:4, 4:1, 1:8, or 8:1. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether the coding unit is in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction, based on the length of the width and the length of the height of the coding unit. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the size of the coding unit, based on at least one of the length of the width, the length of the height, or the area of the coding unit.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the shape of the coding unit by using the block shape information, and may determine a splitting method of the coding unit by using the information about the split shape mode. That is, a coding unit splitting method indicated by the information indicating the split shape mode may be determined based on a block shape indicated by the block shape information used by the image decoding apparatus 100.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the information about the split shape mode from a bitstream. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine information about a pre-agreed split shape mode, based on the block shape information. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the pre-agreed split shape mode with respect to a largest coding unit or a smallest coding unit. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine information about a split shape mode with respect to the largest coding unit to be a quad split. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine information about a split shape mode regarding the smallest coding unit to be “not to perform splitting”. In particular, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the size of the largest coding unit to be 256×256. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the pre-agreed split shape mode to be a quad split. The quad split is a split shape mode in which the width and the height of the coding unit are both bisected. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain a coding unit of a 128×128 size from the largest coding unit of a 256×256 size, based on the information about the split shape mode. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the size of the smallest coding unit to be 4×4. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain information about a split shape mode indicating “not to perform splitting” with respect to the smallest coding unit.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use the block shape information indicating that the current coding unit has a square shape. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether not to split a square coding unit, whether to vertically split the square coding unit, whether to horizontally split the square coding unit, or whether to split the square coding unit into four coding units, based on the information about the split shape mode. Referring to FIG. 3, when the block shape information of a current coding unit 300 indicates a square shape, the decoder 120 may determine that a coding unit 310 a having the same size as the current coding unit 300 is not split, based on the information about the split shape mode indicating not to perform splitting, or may determine coding units 310 b, 310 c, or 310 d split based on the information about the split shape mode indicating a predetermined splitting method.

Referring to FIG. 3, according to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine two coding units 310 b obtained by splitting the current coding unit 300 in a vertical direction, based on the information about the split shape mode indicating to perform splitting in a vertical direction. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine two coding units 310 c obtained by splitting the current coding unit 300 in a horizontal direction, based on the information about the split shape mode indicating to perform splitting in a horizontal direction. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine four coding units 310 d obtained by splitting the current coding unit 300 in vertical and horizontal directions, based on the information about the split shape mode indicating to perform splitting in vertical and horizontal directions. However, splitting methods of the square coding unit are not limited to the above-described methods, and the information about the split shape mode may indicate various methods. Predetermined splitting methods of splitting the square coding unit will be described in detail below in relation to various embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process, performed by the image decoding apparatus 100, of determining at least one coding unit by splitting a non-square coding unit, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use block shape information indicating that a current coding unit has a non-square shape. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether not to split the non-square current coding unit or whether to split the non-square current coding unit by using a predetermined splitting method, based on information about a split shape mode. Referring to FIG. 4, when the block shape information of a current coding unit 400 or 450 indicates a non-square shape, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that a coding unit 410 or 460 having the same size as the current coding unit 400 or 450 is not split, based on the information about the split shape mode indicating not to perform splitting, or determine coding units 420 a and 420 b, 430 a to 430 c, 470 a and 470 b, or 480 a to 480 c split based on the information about the split shape mode indicating a predetermined splitting method. Predetermined splitting methods of splitting a non-square coding unit will be described in detail below in relation to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a splitting method of a coding unit by using the information about the split shape mode and, in this case, the information about the split shape mode may indicate the number of one or more coding units generated by splitting a coding unit. Referring to FIG. 4, when the information about the split shape mode indicates to split the current coding unit 400 or 450 into two coding units, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine two coding units 420 a and 420 b, or 470 a and 470 b included in the current coding unit 400 or 450, by splitting the current coding unit 400 or 450 based on the information about the split shape mode.

According to an embodiment, when the image decoding apparatus 100 splits the non-square current coding unit 400 or 450 based on the information about the split shape mode, the image decoding apparatus 100 may consider the location of a long side of the non-square current coding unit 400 or 450 to split a current coding unit. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a plurality of coding units by splitting a long side of the current coding unit 400 or 450, in consideration of the shape of the current coding unit 400 or 450.

According to an embodiment, when the information about the split shape mode indicates to split a coding unit into the odd number of blocks (tri split), the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the odd number of coding units included in the current coding unit 400 or 450. For example, when the information about the split shape mode indicates to split the current coding unit 400 or 450 into three coding units, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the current coding unit 400 or 450 into three coding units 430 a, 430 b, and 430 c, or 480 a, 480 b, and 480 c.

According to an embodiment, a ratio of the width and height of the current coding unit 400 or 450 may be 4:1 or 1:4. When the ratio of the width and height is 4:1, the block shape information may be a horizontal direction because the length of the width is longer than the length of the height. When the ratio of the width and height is 1:4, the block shape information may be a vertical direction because the length of the width is shorter than the length of the height. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to split a current coding unit into the odd number of blocks, based on the information about the split shape mode. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a split direction of the current coding unit 400 or 450, based on the block shape information of the current coding unit 400 or 450. For example, when the current coding unit 400 is in the vertical direction, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding units 430 a to 430 c by splitting the current coding unit 400 in the horizontal direction. Also, when the current coding unit 450 is in the horizontal direction, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding units 480 a to 480 c by splitting the current coding unit 450 in the vertical direction.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the odd number of coding units included in the current coding unit 400 or 450, and not all the determined coding units may have the same size. For example, a predetermined coding unit 430 b or 480 b from among the determined odd number of coding units 430 a, 430 b, and 430 c, or 480 a, 480 b, and 480 c may have a size different from the size of the other coding units 430 a and 430 c, or 480 a and 480 c. That is, coding units which may be determined by splitting the current coding unit 400 or 450 may have multiple sizes and, in some cases, all of the odd number of coding units 430 a, 430 b, and 430 c, or 480 a, 480 b, and 480 c may have different sizes.

According to an embodiment, when the information about the split shape mode indicates to split a coding unit into the odd number of blocks, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the odd number of coding units included in the current coding unit 400 or 450, and in addition, may put a predetermined restriction on at least one coding unit from among the odd number of coding units generated by splitting the current coding unit 400 or 450. Referring to FIG. 4, the image decoding apparatus 100 may set a decoding process regarding the coding unit 430 b or 480 b located at the center among the three coding units 430 a, 430 b, and 430 c or 480 a, 480 b, and 480 c generated as the current coding unit 400 or 450 is split to be different from that of the other coding units 430 a and 430 c, or 480 a or 480 c. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may restrict the coding unit 430 b or 480 b at the center location to be no longer split or to be split only a predetermined number of times, unlike the other coding units 430 a and 430 c, or 480 a and 480 c.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process, performed by the image decoding apparatus 100, of splitting a coding unit based on at least one of block shape information and information about a split shape mode, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to split or not to split a square first coding unit 500 into coding units, based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode. According to an embodiment, when the information about the split shape mode indicates to split the first coding unit 500 in a horizontal direction, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a second coding unit 510 by splitting the first coding unit 500 in a horizontal direction. A first coding unit, a second coding unit, and a third coding unit used according to an embodiment are terms used to understand a relation before and after splitting a coding unit. For example, a second coding unit may be determined by splitting a first coding unit, and a third coding unit may be determined by splitting the second coding unit. It will be understood that the structure of the first coding unit, the second coding unit, and the third coding unit follows the above descriptions.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to split or not to split the determined second coding unit 510 into coding units, based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode. Referring to FIG. 5, the image decoding apparatus 100 may or may not split the non-square second coding unit 510, which is determined by splitting the first coding unit 500, into one or more third coding units 520 a, or 520 b, 520 c, and 520 d based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, and determine a plurality of various-shaped second coding units (e.g., 510) by splitting the first coding unit 500, based on the obtained at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, and the second coding unit 510 may be split by using the splitting method of the first coding unit 500, based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode. According to an embodiment, when the first coding unit 500 is split into the second coding units 510 based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode of the first coding unit 500, the second coding unit 510 may also be split into the third coding units 520 a, or 520 b, 520 c, and 520 d based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode of the second coding unit 510. That is, a coding unit may be recursively split based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode of each coding unit. Therefore, a square coding unit may be determined by splitting a non-square coding unit, and a non-square coding unit may be determined by recursively splitting the square coding unit.

Referring to FIG. 5, a predetermined coding unit from among the odd number of third coding units 520 b, 520 c, and 520 d determined by splitting the non-square second coding unit 510 (e.g., a coding unit at a center location or a square coding unit) may be recursively split. According to an embodiment, the square third coding unit 520 b from among the odd number of third coding units 520 b, 520 c, and 520 d may be split in a horizontal direction into a plurality of fourth coding units. A non-square fourth coding unit 530 b or 530 d from among a plurality of fourth coding units 530 a, 530 b, 530 c, and 530 d may be split into a plurality of coding units again. For example, the non-square fourth coding unit 530 b or 530 d may be split into the odd number of coding units again. A method that may be used to recursively split a coding unit will be described below in relation to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the third coding unit 520 a, 520 b, 520 c, or 520 d into coding units, based on the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine not to split the second coding unit 510, based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the non-square second coding unit 510 into the odd number of third coding units 520 b, 520 c, and 520 d. The image decoding apparatus 100 may put a predetermined restriction on a predetermined third coding unit from among the odd number of third coding units 520 b, 520 c, and 520 d. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may restrict the third coding unit 520 c at a center location from among the odd number of third coding units 520 b, 520 c, and 520 d to be no longer split or to be split a settable number of times.

Referring to FIG. 5, the image decoding apparatus 100 may restrict the third coding unit 520 c, which is at the center location from among the odd number of third coding units 520 b, 520 c, and 520 d included in the non-square second coding unit 510, to be no longer split, to be split by using a predetermined splitting method (e.g., split into only four coding units or split by using a splitting method of the second coding unit 510), or to be split only a predetermined number of times (e.g., split only n times (where n>0)). However, the restrictions on the third coding unit 520 c at the center location are not limited to the above-described examples, and may include various restrictions for decoding the third coding unit 520 c at the center location differently from the other third coding units 520 b and 520 d.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, which is used to split a current coding unit, from a predetermined location in the current coding unit.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method, performed by the image decoding apparatus 100, of determining a predetermined coding unit from among an odd number of coding units, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, at least one of block shape information and information about a split shape mode of a current coding unit 600 or 650 may be obtained from a sample of a predetermined location from among a plurality of samples included in the current coding unit 600 or 650 (e.g., a sample 640 or 690 of a center location). However, the predetermined location in the current coding unit 600, from which at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode may be obtained, is not limited to the center location in FIG. 6, and may include various locations included in the current coding unit 600 (e.g., top, bottom, left, right, top left, bottom left, top right, and bottom right locations). The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode from the predetermined location and determine to split or not to split the current coding unit into various-shaped and various-sized coding units.

According to an embodiment, when the current coding unit is split into a predetermined number of coding units, the image decoding apparatus 100 may select one of the coding units. Various methods may be used to select one of a plurality of coding units, as will be described below in relation to various embodiments.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the current coding unit into a plurality of coding units, and may determine a coding unit at a predetermined location.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use information indicating locations of the odd number of coding units, to determine a coding unit at a center location from among the odd number of coding units. Referring to FIG. 6, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the odd number of coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c or the odd number of coding units 660 a, 660 b, and 660 c by splitting the current coding unit 600 or the current coding unit 650. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the middle coding unit 620 b or the middle coding unit 660 b by using information about the locations of the odd number of coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c or the odd number of coding units 660 a, 660 b, and 660 c. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding unit 620 b of the center location by determining the locations of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c based on information indicating locations of predetermined samples included in the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c. In detail, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding unit 620 b at the center location by determining the locations of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c based on information indicating locations of top left samples 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c.

According to an embodiment, the information indicating the locations of the top left samples 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c, which are included in the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c, respectively, may include information about locations or coordinates of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c in a picture. According to an embodiment, the information indicating the locations of the top left samples 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c, which are included in the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c, respectively, may include information indicating widths or heights of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c included in the current coding unit 600, and the widths or heights may correspond to information indicating differences between the coordinates of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c in the picture. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding unit 620 b at the center location by directly using the information about the locations or coordinates of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c in the picture, or by using the information about the widths or heights of the coding units, which correspond to the difference values between the coordinates.

According to an embodiment, information indicating the location of the top left sample 630 a of the upper coding unit 620 a may include coordinates (xa, ya), information indicating the location of the top left sample 630 b of the middle coding unit 620 b may include coordinates (xb, yb), and information indicating the location of the top left sample 630 c of the lower coding unit 620 c may include coordinates (xc, yc). The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the middle coding unit 620 b by using the coordinates of the top left samples 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c which are included in the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c, respectively. For example, when the coordinates of the top left samples 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c are sorted in an ascending or descending order, the coding unit 620 b including the coordinates (xb, yb) of the sample 630 b at a center location may be determined as a coding unit at a center location from among the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c determined by splitting the current coding unit 600. However, the coordinates indicating the locations of the top left samples 630 a, 630 b, and 630 c may include coordinates indicating absolute locations in the picture, or may use coordinates (dxb, dyb) indicating a relative location of the top left sample 630 b of the middle coding unit 620 b and coordinates (dxc, dyc) indicating a relative location of the top left sample 630 c of the lower coding unit 620 c with reference to the location of the top left sample 630 a of the upper coding unit 620 a. A method of determining a coding unit at a predetermined location by using coordinates of a sample included in the coding unit, as information indicating a location of the sample, is not limited to the above-described method, and may include various arithmetic methods capable of using the coordinates of the sample.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the current coding unit 600 into a plurality of coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c, and may select one of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c based on a predetermined criterion. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may select the coding unit 620 b, which has a size different from that of the others, from among the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the width or height of each of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c by using the coordinates (xa, ya) that is the information indicating the location of the top left sample 630 a of the upper coding unit 620 a, the coordinates (xb, yb) that is the information indicating the location of the top left sample 630 b of the middle coding unit 620 b, and the coordinates (xc, yc) that is the information indicating the location of the top left sample 630 c of the lower coding unit 620 c. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the respective sizes of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c by using the coordinates (xa, ya), (xb, yb), and (xc, yc) indicating the locations of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the width of the upper coding unit 620 a to be the width of the current coding unit 600. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the height of the upper coding unit 620 a to be yb-ya. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the width of the middle coding unit 620 b to be the width of the current coding unit 600. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the height of the middle coding unit 620 b to be yc-yb. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the width or height of the lower coding unit 620 c by using the width or height of the current coding unit 600 or the widths or heights of the upper and middle coding units 620 a and 620 b. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a coding unit, which has a size different from that of the others, based on the determined widths and heights of the coding units 620 a to 620 c. Referring to FIG. 6, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the middle coding unit 620 b, which has a size different from the size of the upper and lower coding units 620 a and 620 c, as the coding unit of the predetermined location. However, the above-described method, performed by the image decoding apparatus 100, of determining a coding unit having a size different from the size of the other coding units merely corresponds to an example of determining a coding unit at a predetermined location by using the sizes of coding units, which are determined based on coordinates of samples, and thus various methods of determining a coding unit at a predetermined location by comparing the sizes of coding units, which are determined based on coordinates of predetermined samples, may be used.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the width or height of each of the coding units 660 a, 660 b, and 660 c by using the coordinates (xd, yd) that is information indicating the location of a top left sample 670 a of the left coding unit 660 a, the coordinates (xe, ye) that is information indicating the location of a top left sample 670 b of the middle coding unit 660 b, and the coordinates (xf, yf) that is information indicating a location of the top left sample 670 c of the right coding unit 660 c. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the respective sizes of the coding units 660 a, 660 b, and 660 c by using the coordinates (xd, yd), (xe, ye), and (xf, yf) indicating the locations of the coding units 660 a, 660 b, and 660 c.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the width of the left coding unit 660 a to be xe-xd. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the height of the left coding unit 660 a to be the height of the current coding unit 650. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the width of the middle coding unit 660 b to be xf-xe. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the height of the middle coding unit 660 b to be the height of the current coding unit 600. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the width or height of the right coding unit 660 c by using the width or height of the current coding unit 650 or the widths or heights of the left and middle coding units 660 a and 660 b. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a coding unit, which has a size different from that of the others, based on the determined widths and heights of the coding units 660 a to 660 c. Referring to FIG. 6, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the middle coding unit 660 b, which has a size different from the sizes of the left and right coding units 660 a and 660 c, as the coding unit of the predetermined location. However, the above-described method, performed by the image decoding apparatus 100, of determining a coding unit having a size different from the size of the other coding units merely corresponds to an example of determining a coding unit at a predetermined location by using the sizes of coding units, which are determined based on coordinates of samples, and thus various methods of determining a coding unit at a predetermined location by comparing the sizes of coding units, which are determined based on coordinates of predetermined samples, may be used.

However, locations of samples considered to determine locations of coding units are not limited to the above-described top left locations, and information about arbitrary locations of samples included in the coding units may be used.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may select a coding unit at a predetermined location from among an odd number of coding units determined by splitting the current coding unit, considering the shape of the current coding unit. For example, when the current coding unit has a non-square shape, a width of which is longer than a height, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding unit at the predetermined location in a horizontal direction. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine one of coding units at different locations in a horizontal direction and put a restriction on the coding unit. When the current coding unit has a non-square shape, a height of which is longer than a width, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding unit at the predetermined location in a vertical direction. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine one of coding units at different locations in a vertical direction and may put a restriction on the coding unit.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use information indicating respective locations of an even number of coding units, to determine the coding unit at the predetermined location from among the even number of coding units. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the even number of coding units by splitting (binary-splitting) the current coding unit and determine the coding unit at the predetermined location by using information about the locations of the even number of coding units. An operation related thereto may correspond to the operation of determining a coding unit at a predetermined location (e.g., a center location) from among an odd number of coding units, which has been described in detail above in relation to FIG. 6, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are not provided here.

According to an embodiment, when a non-square current coding unit is split into a plurality of coding units, predetermined information about a coding unit at a predetermined location may be used in a splitting operation to determine the coding unit at the predetermined location from among the plurality of coding units. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use at least one of block shape information and information about a split shape mode, which is stored in a sample included in a middle coding unit, in a splitting operation to determine a coding unit at a center location from among the plurality of coding units determined by splitting the current coding unit.

Referring to FIG. 6, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the current coding unit 600 into a plurality of coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, and may determine the coding unit 620 b at a center location from among the plurality of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c. Furthermore, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding unit 620 b at the center location, in consideration of a location from which at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode is obtained. That is, at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode of the current coding unit 600 may be obtained from the sample 640 at a center location of the current coding unit 600 and, when the current coding unit 600 is split into the plurality of coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, the coding unit 620 b including the sample 640 may be determined as the coding unit at the center location. However, information used to determine the coding unit at the center location is not limited to at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, and various types of information may be used to determine the coding unit at the center location.

According to an embodiment, predetermined information for identifying the coding unit at the predetermined location may be obtained from a predetermined sample included in a coding unit to be determined. Referring to FIG. 6, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, which is obtained from a sample at a predetermined location in the current coding unit 600 (e.g., a sample at a center location of the current coding unit 600) to determine a coding unit at a predetermined location from among the plurality of the coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c determined by splitting the current coding unit 600 (e.g., a coding unit at a center location from among a plurality of split coding units). That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the sample at the predetermined location by considering a block shape of the current coding unit 600, determine the coding unit 620 b including a sample, from which predetermined information (e.g., at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode) may be obtained, from among the plurality of coding units 620 a, 620 b, and 620 c determined by splitting the current coding unit 600, and may put a predetermined restriction on the coding unit 620 b. Referring to FIG. 6, according to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the sample 640 at the center location of the current coding unit 600 as the sample from which the predetermined information may be obtained, and may put a predetermined restriction on the coding unit 620 b including the sample 640, in a decoding operation. However, the location of the sample from which the predetermined information may be obtained is not limited to the above-described location, and may include arbitrary locations of samples included in the coding unit 620 b to be determined for a restriction.

According to an embodiment, the location of the sample from which the predetermined information may be obtained may be determined based on the shape of the current coding unit 600. According to an embodiment, the block shape information may indicate whether the current coding unit has a square or non-square shape, and the location of the sample from which the predetermined information may be obtained may be determined based on the shape. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a sample located on a boundary for splitting at least one of a width and height of the current coding unit in half, as the sample from which the predetermined information may be obtained, by using at least one of information about the width of the current coding unit and information about the height of the current coding unit. As another example, when the block shape information of the current coding unit indicates a non-square shape, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine one of samples adjacent to a boundary for splitting a long side of the current coding unit in half, as the sample from which the predetermined information may be obtained.

According to an embodiment, when the current coding unit is split into a plurality of coding units, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode to determine a coding unit at a predetermined location from among the plurality of coding units. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode from a sample at a predetermined location in a coding unit, and split the plurality of coding units, which are generated by splitting the current coding unit, by using at least one of the information about the split shape mode and the information about the split shape mode, which is obtained from the sample of the predetermined location in each of the plurality of coding units. That is, a coding unit may be recursively split based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, which is obtained from the sample at the predetermined location in each coding unit. An operation of recursively splitting a coding unit has been described above in relation to FIG. 5, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will not be provided here.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine one or more coding units by splitting the current coding unit, and may determine an order of decoding the one or more coding units, based on a predetermined block (e.g., the current coding unit).

FIG. 7 illustrates an order of processing a plurality of coding units when the image decoding apparatus 100 determines the plurality of coding units by splitting a current coding unit, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine second coding units 710 a and 710 b by splitting a first coding unit 700 in a vertical direction, determine second coding units 730 a and 730 b by splitting the first coding unit 700 in a horizontal direction, or determine second coding units 750 a to 750 d by splitting the first coding unit 700 in vertical and horizontal directions, based on block shape information and information about a split shape mode.

Referring to FIG. 7, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to process the second coding units 710 a and 710 b, which are determined by splitting the first coding unit 700 in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction order 710 c. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to process the second coding units 730 a and 730 b, which are determined by splitting the first coding unit 700 in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction order 730 c. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to process the second coding units 750 a to 750 d, which are determined by splitting the first coding unit 700 in vertical and horizontal directions, in a predetermined order for processing coding units in a row and then processing coding units in a next row (e.g., in a raster scan order or Z-scan order 750 e).

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may recursively split coding units. Referring to FIG. 7, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the plurality of coding units 710 a and 710 b, 730 a and 730 b, or 750 a to 750 d by splitting the first coding unit 700, and recursively split each of the determined plurality of coding units 710 b, 730 a and 730 b, or 750 a to 750 d. A splitting method of the plurality of coding units 710 b, 730 a and 730 b, or 750 a to 750 d may correspond to a splitting method of the first coding unit 700. As such, each of the plurality of coding units 710 b, 730 a and 730 b, or 750 a to 750 d may be independently split into a plurality of coding units. Referring to FIG. 7, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the second coding units 710 a and 710 b by splitting the first coding unit 700 in a vertical direction, and may determine to independently split or not to split each of the second coding units 710 a and 710 b.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine third coding units 720 a and 720 b by splitting the left second coding unit 710 a in a horizontal direction, and may not split the right second coding unit 710 b.

According to an embodiment, a processing order of coding units may be determined based on an operation of splitting a coding unit. In other words, a processing order of split coding units may be determined based on a processing order of coding units immediately before being split. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a processing order of the third coding units 720 a and 720 b determined by splitting the left second coding unit 710 a, independently of the right second coding unit 710 b. Because the third coding units 720 a and 720 b are determined by splitting the left second coding unit 710 a in a horizontal direction, the third coding units 720 a and 720 b may be processed in a vertical direction order 720 c. Because the left and right second coding units 710 a and 710 b are processed in the horizontal direction order 710 c, the right second coding unit 710 b may be processed after the third coding units 720 a and 720 b included in the left second coding unit 710 a are processed in the vertical direction order 720 c. An operation of determining a processing order of coding units based on a coding unit before being split is not limited to the above-described example, and various methods may be used to independently process coding units, which are split and determined to various shapes, in a predetermined order.

FIG. 8 illustrates a process, performed by the image decoding apparatus 100, of determining that a current coding unit is to be split into an odd number of coding units, when the coding units are not processable in a predetermined order, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether the current coding unit is split into an odd number of coding units, based on obtained block shape information and information about a split shape mode. Referring to FIG. 8, a square first coding unit 800 may be split into non-square second coding units 810 a and 810 b, and the second coding units 810 a and 810 b may be independently split into third coding units 820 a and 820 b, and 820 c to 820 e. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the plurality of third coding units 820 a and 820 b by splitting the left second coding unit 810 a in a horizontal direction, and may split the right second coding unit 810 b into the odd number of third coding units 820 c to 820 e.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether any coding unit is split into an odd number of coding units, by determining whether the third coding units 820 a and 820 b, and 820 c to 820 e are processable in a predetermined order. Referring to FIG. 8, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the third coding units 820 a and 820 b, and 820 c to 820 e by recursively splitting the first coding unit 800. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether any of the first coding unit 800, the second coding units 810 a and 810 b, and the third coding units 820 a and 820 b, and 820 c to 820 e are split into an odd number of coding units, based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode. For example, the right second coding unit 810 b among the second coding units 810 a and 810 b may be split into an odd number of third coding units 820 c, 820 d, and 820 e. A processing order of a plurality of coding units included in the first coding unit 800 may be a predetermined order (e.g., a Z-scan order 830), and the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether the third coding units 820 c, 820 d, and 820 e, which are determined by splitting the right second coding unit 810 b into an odd number of coding units, satisfy a condition for processing in the predetermined order.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether the third coding units 820 a and 820 b, and 820 c to 820 e included in the first coding unit 800 satisfy the condition for processing in the predetermined order, and the condition relates to whether at least one of a width and height of the second coding units 810 a and 810 b is split in half along a boundary of the third coding units 820 a and 820 b, and 820 c to 820 e. For example, the third coding units 820 a and 820 b determined when the height of the left second coding unit 810 a of the non-square shape is split in half may satisfy the condition. It may be determined that the third coding units 820 c to 820 e do not satisfy the condition because the boundaries of the third coding units 820 c to 820 e determined when the right second coding unit 810 b is split into three coding units are unable to split the width or height of the right second coding unit 810 b in half. When the condition is not satisfied as described above, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine disconnection of a scan order, and may determine that the right second coding unit 810 b is split into an odd number of coding units, based on a result of the determination. According to an embodiment, when a coding unit is split into an odd number of coding units, the image decoding apparatus 100 may put a predetermined restriction on a coding unit at a predetermined location from among the split coding units. The restriction or the predetermined location has been described above in relation to various embodiments, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will not be provided herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a process, performed by the image decoding apparatus 100, of determining at least one coding unit by splitting a first coding unit 900, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the first coding unit 900, based on at least one of block shape information and information about a split shape mode, which is obtained through the receiver 110. The square first coding unit 900 may be split into four square coding units, or may be split into a plurality of non-square coding units. For example, referring to FIG. 9, when the block shape information indicates that the first coding unit 900 has a square shape and the information about the split shape mode indicates to split the first coding unit 900 into non-square coding units, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the first coding unit 900 into a plurality of non-square coding units. In detail, when the information about the split shape mode indicates to determine an odd number of coding units by splitting the first coding unit 900 in a horizontal direction or a vertical direction, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the square first coding unit 900 into an odd number of coding units, e.g., second coding units 910 a, 910 b, and 910 c determined by splitting the square first coding unit 900 in a vertical direction or second coding units 920 a, 920 b, and 920 c determined by splitting the square first coding unit 900 in a horizontal direction.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether the second coding units 910 a, 910 b, 910 c, 920 a, 920 b, and 920 c included in the first coding unit 900 satisfy a condition for processing in a predetermined order, and the condition relates to whether at least one of a width and height of the first coding unit 900 is split in half along a boundary of the second coding units 910 a, 910 b, 910 c, 920 a, 920 b, and 920 c. Referring to FIG. 9, because boundaries of the second coding units 910 a, 910 b, and 910 c determined by splitting the square first coding unit 900 in a vertical direction do not split the width of the first coding unit 900 in half, it may be determined that the first coding unit 900 does not satisfy the condition for processing in the predetermined order. In addition, because boundaries of the second coding units 920 a, 920 b, and 920 c determined by splitting the square first coding unit 900 in a horizontal direction do not split the width of the first coding unit 900 in half, it may be determined that the first coding unit 900 does not satisfy the condition for processing in the predetermined order. When the condition is not satisfied as described above, the image decoding apparatus 100 may decide disconnection of a scan order, and may determine that the first coding unit 900 is split into an odd number of coding units, based on a result of the decision. According to an embodiment, when a coding unit is split into an odd number of coding units, the image decoding apparatus 100 may put a predetermined restriction on a coding unit at a predetermined location from among the split coding units. The restriction or the predetermined location has been described above in relation to various embodiments, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will not be provided herein.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine various-shaped coding units by splitting a first coding unit.

Referring to FIG. 9, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the square first coding unit 900 or a non-square first coding unit 930 or 950 into various-shaped coding units.

FIG. 10 illustrates that a shape into which a second coding unit is splittable is restricted when the second coding unit having a non-square shape, which is determined when the image decoding apparatus 100 splits a first coding unit 1000, satisfies a predetermined condition, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to split the square first coding unit 1000 into non-square second coding units 1010 a and 1010 b or 1020 a and 1020 b, based on at least one of block shape information and information about a split shape mode, which is obtained through the receiver 110. The second coding units 1010 a and 1010 b or 1020 a and 1020 b may be independently split. As such, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to split or not to split each of the second coding units 1010 a and 1010 b or 1020 a and 1020 b into a plurality of coding units, based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode of each of the second coding units 1010 a and 1010 b or 1020 a and 1020 b. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine third coding units 1012 a and 1012 b by splitting the non-square left second coding unit 1010 a, which is determined by splitting the first coding unit 1000 in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction. However, when the left second coding unit 1010 a is split in a horizontal direction, the image decoding apparatus 100 may restrict the right second coding unit 1010 b to not be split in a horizontal direction in which the left second coding unit 1010 a is split. When third coding units 1014 a and 1014 b are determined by splitting the right second coding unit 1010 b in a same direction, because the left and right second coding units 1010 a and 1010 b are independently split in a horizontal direction, the third coding units 1012 a and 1012 b or 1014 a and 1014 b may be determined. However, this case serves equally as a case in which the image decoding apparatus 100 splits the first coding unit 1000 into four square second coding units 1030 a, 1030 b, 1030 c, and 1030 d, based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, and may be inefficient in terms of image decoding.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine third coding units 1022 a and 1022 b or 1024 a and 1024 b by splitting the non-square second coding unit 1020 a or 1020 b, which is determined by splitting the first coding unit 1000 in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction. However, when a second coding unit (e.g., the upper second coding unit 1020 a) is split in a vertical direction, for the above-described reason, the image decoding apparatus 100 may restrict the other second coding unit (e.g., the lower second coding unit 1020 b) to not be split in a vertical direction in which the upper second coding unit 1020 a is split.

FIG. 11 illustrates a process, performed by the image decoding apparatus 100, of splitting a square coding unit when information about a split shape mode is unable to indicate that the square coding unit is split into four square coding units, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine second coding units 1110 a and 1110 b or 1120 a and 1120 b, etc. by splitting a first coding unit 1100, based on at least one of block shape information and information about a split shape mode. The information about a split shape mode may include information about various methods of splitting a coding unit but, the information about various splitting methods may not include information for splitting a coding unit into four square coding units. According to such information about the split shape mode, the image decoding apparatus 100 may not split the square first coding unit 1100 into four square second coding units 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c, and 1130 d. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the non-square second coding units 1110 a and 1110 b or 1120 a and 1120 b, etc., based on the information about the split shape mode.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may independently split the non-square second coding units 1110 a and 1110 b or 1120 a and 1120 b, etc. Each of the second coding units 1110 a and 1110 b or 1120 a and 1120 b, etc. may be recursively split in a predetermined order, and this splitting method may correspond to a method of splitting the first coding unit 1100, based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode.

For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine square third coding units 1112 a and 1112 b by splitting the left second coding unit 1110 a in a horizontal direction, and may determine square third coding units 1114 a and 1114 b by splitting the right second coding unit 1110 b in a horizontal direction. Furthermore, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine square third coding units 1116 a, 1116 b, 1116 c, and 1116 d by splitting both of the left and right second coding units 1110 a and 1110 b in a horizontal direction. In this case, coding units having the same shape as the four square second coding units 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c, and 1130 d split from the first coding unit 1100 may be determined.

As another example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine square third coding units 1122 a and 1122 b by splitting the upper second coding unit 1120 a in a vertical direction, and may determine square third coding units 1124 a and 1124 b by splitting the lower second coding unit 1120 b in a vertical direction. Furthermore, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine square third coding units 1126 a, 1126 b, 1126 c, and 1126 d by splitting both of the upper and lower second coding units 1120 a and 1120 b in a vertical direction. In this case, coding units having the same shape as the four square second coding units 1130 a, 1130 b, 1130 c, and 1130 d split from the first coding unit 1100 may be determined.

FIG. 12 illustrates that a processing order between a plurality of coding units may be changed depending on a process of splitting a coding unit, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split a first coding unit 1200, based on block shape information and information about a split shape mode. When the block shape information indicates a square shape and the information about the split shape mode indicates to split the first coding unit 1200 in at least one of horizontal and vertical directions, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine second coding units 1210 a and 1210 b or 1220 a and 1220 b, etc. by splitting the first coding unit 1200. Referring to FIG. 12, the non-square second coding units 1210 a and 1210 b or 1220 a and 1220 b determined by splitting the first coding unit 1200 in only a horizontal direction or vertical direction may be independently split based on the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode of each coding unit. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine third coding units 1216 a, 1216 b, 1216 c, and 1216 d by splitting the second coding units 1210 a and 1210 b, which are generated by splitting the first coding unit 1200 in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction, and may determine third coding units 1226 a, 1226 b, 1226 c, and 1226 d by splitting the second coding units 1220 a and 1220 b, which are generated by splitting the first coding unit 1200 in a horizontal direction, in a horizontal direction. An operation of splitting the second coding units 1210 a and 1210 b or 1220 a and 1220 b has been described above in relation to FIG. 11, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will not be provided herein.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may process coding units in a predetermined order. An operation of processing coding units in a predetermined order has been described above in relation to FIG. 7, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will not be provided herein. Referring to FIG. 12, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine four square third coding units 1216 a, 1216 b, 1216 c, and 1216 d, and 1226 a, 1226 b, 1226 c, and 1226 d by splitting the square first coding unit 1200. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine processing orders of the third coding units 1216 a, 1216 b, 1216 c, and 1216 d, and 1226 a, 1226 b, 1226 c, and 1226 d based on a splitting method of the first coding unit 1200.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the third coding units 1216 a, 1216 b, 1216 c, and 1216 d by splitting the second coding units 1210 a and 1210 b generated by splitting the first coding unit 1200 in a vertical direction, in a horizontal direction, and may process the third coding units 1216 a, 1216 b, 1216 c, and 1216 d in a processing order 1217 for initially processing the third coding units 1216 a and 1216 c, which are included in the left second coding unit 1210 a, in a vertical direction and then processing the third coding unit 1216 b and 1216 d, which are included in the right second coding unit 1210 b, in a vertical direction.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the third coding units 1226 a, 1226 b, 1226 c, and 1226 d by splitting the second coding units 1220 a and 1220 b generated by splitting the first coding unit 1200 in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction, and may process the third coding units 1226 a, 1226 b, 1226 c, and 1226 d in a processing order 1227 for initially processing the third coding units 1226 a and 1226 b, which are included in the upper second coding unit 1220 a, in a horizontal direction and then processing the third coding unit 1226 c and 1226 d, which are included in the lower second coding unit 1220 b, in a horizontal direction.

Referring to FIG. 12, the square third coding units 1216 a, 1216 b, 1216 c, and 1216 d, and 1226 a, 1226 b, 1226 c, and 1226 d may be determined by splitting the second coding units 1210 a and 1210 b, and 1220 a and 1920 b, respectively. Although the second coding units 1210 a and 1210 b are determined by splitting the first coding unit 1200 in a vertical direction differently from the second coding units 1220 a and 1220 b which are determined by splitting the first coding unit 1200 in a horizontal direction, the third coding units 1216 a, 1216 b, 1216 c, and 1216 d, and 1226 a, 1226 b, 1226 c, and 1226 d split therefrom eventually show same-shaped coding units split from the first coding unit 1200. As such, by recursively splitting a coding unit in different manners based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode, the image decoding apparatus 100 may process a plurality of coding units in different orders even when the coding units are eventually determined to be the same shape.

FIG. 13 illustrates a process of determining a depth of a coding unit as a shape and size of the coding unit change, when the coding unit is recursively split such that a plurality of coding units are determined, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the depth of the coding unit, based on a predetermined criterion. For example, the predetermined criterion may be the length of a long side of the coding unit. When the length of a long side of a coding unit before being split is 2n times (n>0) the length of a long side of a split current coding unit, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that a depth of the current coding unit is increased from a depth of the coding unit before being split, by n. In the following description, a coding unit having an increased depth is expressed as a coding unit of a deeper depth.

Referring to FIG. 13, according to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a second coding unit 1302 and a third coding unit 1304 of deeper depths by splitting a square first coding unit 1300 based on block shape information indicating a square shape (for example, the block shape information may be expressed as ‘0: SQUARE’). Assuming that the size of the square first coding unit 1300 is 2N×2N, the second coding unit 1302 determined by splitting a width and height of the first coding unit 1300 to ½ may have a size of N×N. Furthermore, the third coding unit 1304 determined by splitting a width and height of the second coding unit 1302 to ½ may have a size of N/2×N/2. In this case, a width and height of the third coding unit 1304 are ¼ times those of the first coding unit 1300. When a depth of the first coding unit 1300 is D, a depth of the second coding unit 1302, the width and height of which are ½ times those of the first coding unit 1300, may be D+1, and a depth of the third coding unit 1304, the width and height of which are ¼ times those of the first coding unit 1300, may be D+2.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a second coding unit 1312 or 1322 and a third coding unit 1314 or 1324 of deeper depths by splitting a non-square first coding unit 1310 or 1320 based on block shape information indicating a non-square shape (for example, the block shape information may be expressed as ‘1: NS_VER’ indicating a non-square shape, a height of which is longer than a width, or as ‘2: NS_HOR’ indicating a non-square shape, a width of which is longer than a height).

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a second coding unit 1302, 1312, or 1322 by splitting at least one of a width and height of the first coding unit 1310 having a size of N×2N. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the second coding unit 1302 having a size of N×N or the second coding unit 1322 having a size of N×N/2 by splitting the first coding unit 1310 in a horizontal direction, or may determine the second coding unit 1312 having a size of N/2×N by splitting the first coding unit 1310 in horizontal and vertical directions.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the second coding unit 1302, 1312, or 1322 by splitting at least one of a width and height of the first coding unit 1320 having a size of 2N×N. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the second coding unit 1302 having a size of N×N or the second coding unit 1312 having a size of N/2×N by splitting the first coding unit 1320 in a vertical direction, or may determine the second coding unit 1322 having a size of N×N/2 by splitting the first coding unit 1320 in horizontal and vertical directions.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a third coding unit 1304, 1314, or 1324 by splitting at least one of a width and height of the second coding unit 1302 having a size of N×N. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the third coding unit 1304 having a size of N/2×N/2, the third coding unit 1314 having a size of N/4×N/2, or the third coding unit 1324 having a size of N/2×N/4 by splitting the second coding unit 1302 in vertical and horizontal directions.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the third coding unit 1304, 1314, or 1324 by splitting at least one of a width and height of the second coding unit 1312 having a size of N/2×N. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the third coding unit 1304 having a size of N/2×N/2 or the third coding unit 1324 having a size of N/2×N/4 by splitting the second coding unit 1312 in a horizontal direction, or may determine the third coding unit 1314 having a size of N/4×N/2 by splitting the second coding unit 1312 in vertical and horizontal directions.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the third coding unit 1304, 1314, or 1324 by splitting at least one of a width and height of the second coding unit 1322 having a size of N×N/2. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the third coding unit 1304 having a size of N/2×N/2 or the third coding unit 1314 having a size of N/4×N/2 by splitting the second coding unit 1322 in a vertical direction, or may determine the third coding unit 1324 having a size of N/2×N/4 by splitting the second coding unit 1322 in vertical and horizontal directions.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the square coding unit 1300, 1302, or 1304 in a horizontal or vertical direction. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the first coding unit 1310 having a size of N×2N by splitting the first coding unit 1300 having a size of 2N×2N in a vertical direction, or may determine the first coding unit 1320 having a size of 2N×N by splitting the first coding unit 1300 in a horizontal direction. According to an embodiment, when a depth is determined based on the length of the longest side of a coding unit, a depth of a coding unit determined by splitting the first coding unit 1300 having a size of 2N×2N in a horizontal or vertical direction may be the same as the depth of the first coding unit 1300.

According to an embodiment, a width and height of the third coding unit 1314 or 1324 may be ¼ times those of the first coding unit 1310 or 1320. When a depth of the first coding unit 1310 or 1320 is D, a depth of the second coding unit 1312 or 1322, the width and height of which are ½ times those of the first coding unit 1310 or 1320, may be D+1, and a depth of the third coding unit 1314 or 1324, the width and height of which are ¼ times those of the first coding unit 1310 or 1320, may be D+2.

FIG. 14 illustrates depths that are determinable based on shapes and sizes of coding units, and part indexes (PIDs) that are for distinguishing the coding units, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine various-shape second coding units by splitting a square first coding unit 1400. Referring to FIG. 14, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine second coding units 1402 a and 1402 b, 1404 a and 1404 b, and 1406 a, 1406 b, 1406 c, and 1406 d by splitting the first coding unit 1400 in at least one of vertical and horizontal directions based on information about a split shape mode. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the second coding units 1402 a and 1402 b, 1404 a and 1404 b, and 1406 a, 1406 b, 1406 c, and 1406 d, based on the information about the split shape mode of the first coding unit 1400.

According to an embodiment, a depth of the second coding units 1402 a and 1402 b, 1404 a and 1404 b, and 1406 a, 1406 b, 1406 c, and 1406 d, which are determined based on the information about the split shape mode of the square first coding unit 1400, may be determined based on the length of a long side thereof. For example, because the length of a side of the square first coding unit 1400 equals the length of a long side of the non-square second coding units 1402 a and 1402 b, and 1404 a and 1404 b, the first coding unit 2100 and the non-square second coding units 1402 a and 1402 b, and 1404 a and 1404 b may have the same depth, e.g., D. However, when the image decoding apparatus 100 splits the first coding unit 1400 into the four square second coding units 1406 a, 1406 b, 1406 c, and 1406 d based on the information about the split shape mode, because the length of a side of the square second coding units 1406 a, 1406 b, 1406 c, and 1406 d is ½ times the length of a side of the first coding unit 1400, a depth of the second coding units 1406 a, 1406 b, 1406 c, and 1406 d may be D+1 which is deeper than the depth D of the first coding unit 1400 by 1.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a plurality of second coding units 1412 a and 1412 b, and 1414 a, 1414 b, and 1414 c by splitting a first coding unit 1410, a height of which is longer than a width, in a horizontal direction based on the information about the split shape mode. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a plurality of second coding units 1422 a and 1422 b, and 1424 a, 1424 b, and 1424 c by splitting a first coding unit 1420, a width of which is longer than a height, in a vertical direction based on the information about the split shape mode.

According to an embodiment, a depth of the second coding units 1412 a and 1412 b, and 1414 a, 1414 b, and 1414 c, or 1422 a and 1422 b, and 1424 a, 1424 b, and 1424 c, which are determined based on the information about the split shape mode of the non-square first coding unit 1410 or 1420, may be determined based on the length of a long side thereof. For example, because the length of a side of the square second coding units 1412 a and 1412 b is ½ times the length of a long side of the first coding unit 1410 having a non-square shape, a height of which is longer than a width, a depth of the square second coding units 1412 a and 1412 b is D+1 which is deeper than the depth D of the non-square first coding unit 1410 by 1.

Furthermore, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the non-square first coding unit 1410 into an odd number of second coding units 1414 a, 1414 b, and 1414 c based on the information about the split shape mode. The odd number of second coding units 1414 a, 1414 b, and 1414 c may include the non-square second coding units 1414 a and 1414 c and the square second coding unit 1414 b. In this case, because the length of a long side of the non-square second coding units 1414 a and 1414 c and the length of a side of the square second coding unit 1414 b are ½ times the length of a long side of the first coding unit 1410, a depth of the second coding units 1414 a, 1414 b, and 1414 c may be D+1 which is deeper than the depth D of the non-square first coding unit 1410 by 1. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine depths of coding units split from the first coding unit 1420 having a non-square shape, a width of which is longer than a height, by using the above-described method of determining depths of coding units split from the first coding unit 1410.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine PIDs for identifying split coding units, based on a size ratio between the coding units when an odd number of split coding units do not have equal sizes. Referring to FIG. 14, a coding unit 1414 b of a center location among an odd number of split coding units 1414 a, 1414 b, and 1414 c may have a width equal to that of the other coding units 1414 a and 1414 c and a height which is two times that of the other coding units 1414 a and 1414 c. That is, in this case, the coding unit 1414 b at the center location may include two of the other coding unit 1414 a or 1414 c. Therefore, when a PID of the coding unit 1414 b at the center location is 1 based on a scan order, a PID of the coding unit 1414 c located next to the coding unit 1414 b may be increased by 2 and thus may be 3. That is, discontinuity in PID values may be present. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether an odd number of split coding units do not have equal sizes, based on whether discontinuity is present in PIDs for identifying the split coding units.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether to use a specific splitting method, based on PID values for identifying a plurality of coding units determined by splitting a current coding unit. Referring to FIG. 14, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an even number of coding units 1412 a and 1412 b or an odd number of coding units 1414 a, 1414 b, and 1414 c by splitting the first coding unit 1410 having a rectangular shape, a height of which is longer than a width. The image decoding apparatus 100 may use PIDs to identify respective coding units. According to an embodiment, the PID may be obtained from a sample of a predetermined location of each coding unit (e.g., a top left sample).

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a coding unit at a predetermined location from among the split coding units, by using the PIDs for distinguishing the coding units. According to an embodiment, when the information about the split shape mode of the first coding unit 1410 having a rectangular shape, a height of which is longer than a width, indicates to split a coding unit into three coding units, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the first coding unit 1410 into three coding units 1414 a, 1414 b, and 1414 c. The image decoding apparatus 100 may assign a PID to each of the three coding units 1414 a, 1414 b, and 1414 c. The image decoding apparatus 100 may compare PIDs of an odd number of split coding units to determine a coding unit at a center location from among the coding units. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding unit 1414 b having a PID corresponding to a middle value among the PIDs of the coding units, as the coding unit at the center location from among the coding units determined by splitting the first coding unit 1410. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine PIDs for distinguishing split coding units, based on a size ratio between the coding units when the split coding units do not have equal sizes. Referring to FIG. 14, the coding unit 1414 b generated by splitting the first coding unit 1410 may have a width equal to that of the other coding units 1414 a and 1414 c and a height which is two times that of the other coding units 1414 a and 1414 c. In this case, when the PID of the coding unit 1414 b at the center location is 1, the PID of the coding unit 1414 c located next to the coding unit 1414 b may be increased by 2 and thus may be 3. When the PID is not uniformly increased as described above, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that a coding unit is split into a plurality of coding units including a coding unit having a size different from that of the other coding units. According to an embodiment, when the information about the split shape mode indicates to split a coding unit into an odd number of coding units, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split a current coding unit in such a manner that a coding unit of a predetermined location among an odd number of coding units (e.g., a coding unit of a centre location) has a size different from that of the other coding units. In this case, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the coding unit of the centre location, which has a different size, by using PIDs of the coding units. However, the PIDs and the size or location of the coding unit of the predetermined location are not limited to the above-described examples, and various PIDs and various locations and sizes of coding units may be used.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use a predetermined data unit where a coding unit starts to be recursively split.

FIG. 15 illustrates that a plurality of coding units are determined based on a plurality of predetermined data units included in a picture, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, a predetermined data unit may be defined as a data unit where a coding unit starts to be recursively split by using at least one of block shape information and information about a split shape mode. That is, the predetermined data unit may correspond to a coding unit of an uppermost depth, which is used to determine a plurality of coding units split from a current picture. In the following descriptions, for convenience of explanation, the predetermined data unit is referred to as a reference data unit.

According to an embodiment, the reference data unit may have a predetermined size and a predetermined size shape. According to an embodiment, a reference coding unit may include M×N samples. Herein, M and N may be equal to each other, and may be integers expressed as powers of 2. That is, the reference data unit may have a square or non-square shape, and may be split into an integer number of coding units.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the current picture into a plurality of reference data units. According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the plurality of reference data units, which are split from the current picture, by using the information about the split shape mode of each reference data unit. The operation of splitting the reference data unit may correspond to a splitting operation using a quadtree structure.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may previously determine the minimum size allowed for the reference data units included in the current picture. Accordingly, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine various reference data units having sizes equal to or greater than the minimum size, and may determine one or more coding units by using the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode with reference to the determined reference data unit.

Referring to FIG. 15, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use a square reference coding unit 1500 or a non-square reference coding unit 1502. According to an embodiment, the shape and size of reference coding units may be determined based on various data units capable of including one or more reference coding units (e.g., sequences, pictures, slices, slice segments, largest coding units, or the like).

According to an embodiment, the receiver 110 of the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain, from a bitstream, at least one of reference coding unit shape information and reference coding unit size information with respect to each of the various data units. An operation of splitting the square reference coding unit 1500 into one or more coding units has been described above in relation to the operation of splitting the current coding unit 300 of FIG. 3, and an operation of splitting the non-square reference coding unit 1502 into one or more coding units has been described above in relation to the operation of splitting the current coding unit 400 or 450 of FIG. 4. Thus, detailed descriptions thereof will not be provided herein.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use a PID for identifying the size and shape of reference coding units, to determine the size and shape of reference coding units according to some data units previously determined based on a predetermined condition. That is, the receiver 110 may obtain, from the bitstream, only the PID for identifying the size and shape of reference coding units with respect to each slice, slice segment, or largest coding unit which is a data unit satisfying a predetermined condition (e.g., a data unit having a size equal to or smaller than a slice) among the various data units (e.g., sequences, pictures, slices, slice segments, largest coding units, or the like). The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the size and shape of reference data units with respect to each data unit, which satisfies the predetermined condition, by using the PID. When the reference coding unit shape information and the reference coding unit size information are obtained and used from the bitstream according to each data unit having a relatively small size, efficiency of using the bitstream may not be high, and therefore, only the PID may be obtained and used instead of directly obtaining the reference coding unit shape information and the reference coding unit size information. In this case, at least one of the size and shape of reference coding units corresponding to the PID for identifying the size and shape of reference coding units may be previously determined. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine at least one of the size and shape of reference coding units included in a data unit serving as a unit for obtaining the PID, by selecting the previously determined at least one of the size and shape of reference coding units based on the PID.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use one or more reference coding units included in a largest coding unit. That is, a largest coding unit split from a picture may include one or more reference coding units, and coding units may be determined by recursively splitting each reference coding unit. According to an embodiment, at least one of a width and height of the largest coding unit may be integer times at least one of the width and height of the reference coding units. According to an embodiment, the size of reference coding units may be obtained by splitting the largest coding unit n times based on a quadtree structure. That is, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the reference coding units by splitting the largest coding unit n times based on a quadtree structure, and may split the reference coding unit based on at least one of the block shape information and the information about the split shape mode according to various embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates a processing block serving as a criterion for determining a determination order of reference coding units included in a picture 1600, according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine one or more processing blocks split from a picture. The processing block is a data unit including one or more reference coding units split from a picture, and the one or more reference coding units included in the processing block may be determined according to a specific order. That is, a determination order of one or more reference coding units determined in each processing block may correspond to one of various types of orders for determining reference coding units, and may vary depending on the processing block. The determination order of reference coding units, which is determined with respect to each processing block, may be one of various orders, e.g., raster scan order, Z-scan, N-scan, up-right diagonal scan, horizontal scan, and vertical scan, but is not limited to the above-mentioned scan orders.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain processing block size information and may determine the size of one or more processing blocks included in the picture. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the processing block size information from a bitstream and may determine the size of one or more processing blocks included in the picture. The size of processing blocks may be a predetermined size of data units, which is indicated by the processing block size information.

According to an embodiment, the receiver 110 of the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the processing block size information from the bitstream according to each specific data unit. For example, the processing block size information may be obtained from the bitstream in a data unit such as an image, sequence, picture, slice, or slice segment. That is, the receiver 110 may obtain the processing block size information from the bitstream according to each of the various data units, and the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the size of one or more processing blocks, which are split from the picture, by using the obtained processing block size information. The size of the processing blocks may be integer times that of the reference coding units.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the size of processing blocks 1602 and 1612 included in the picture 1600. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the size of processing blocks based on the processing block size information obtained from the bitstream. Referring to FIG. 16, according to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a width of the processing blocks 1602 and 1612 to be four times the width of the reference coding units, and may determine a height of the processing blocks 1602 and 1612 to be four times the height of the reference coding units. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a determination order of one or more reference coding units in one or more processing blocks.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the processing blocks 1602 and 1612, which are included in the picture 1600, based on the size of processing blocks, and may determine a determination order of one or more reference coding units in the processing blocks 1602 and 1612. According to an embodiment, determination of reference coding units may include determination of the size of the reference coding units.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain, from the bitstream, determination order information of one or more reference coding units included in one or more processing blocks, and may determine a determination order with respect to one or more reference coding units based on the obtained determination order information. The determination order information may be defined as an order or direction for determining the reference coding units in the processing block. That is, the determination order of reference coding units may be independently determined with respect to each processing block.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain, from the bitstream, the determination order information of reference coding units according to each specific data unit. For example, the receiver 110 may obtain the determination order information of reference coding units from the bitstream according to each data unit such as an image, sequence, picture, slice, slice segment, or processing block. Because the determination order information of reference coding units indicates an order for determining reference coding units in a processing block, the determination order information may be obtained with respect to each specific data unit including an integer number of processing blocks.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine one or more reference coding units based on the determined determination order.

According to an embodiment, the receiver 110 may obtain the determination order information of reference coding units from the bitstream as information related to the processing blocks 1602 and 1612, and the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a determination order of one or more reference coding units included in the processing blocks 1602 and 1612 and determine one or more reference coding units, which are included in the picture 1600, based on the determination order. Referring to FIG. 16, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine determination orders 1604 and 1614 of one or more reference coding units in the processing blocks 1602 and 1612, respectively. For example, when the determination order information of reference coding units is obtained with respect to each processing block, different types of the determination order information of reference coding units may be obtained for the processing blocks 1602 and 1612. When the determination order 1604 of reference coding units in the processing block 1602 is a raster scan order, reference coding units included in the processing block 1602 may be determined according to a raster scan order. On the contrary, when the determination order 1614 of reference coding units in the other processing block 1612 is a backward raster scan order, reference coding units included in the processing block 1612 may be determined according to the backward raster scan order.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may decode the determined one or more reference coding units. The image decoding apparatus 100 may decode an image, based on the reference coding units determined as described above. A method of decoding the reference coding units may include various image decoding methods.

According to an embodiment, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain block shape information indicating the shape of a current coding unit or information about a split shape mode indicating a splitting method of the current coding unit, from the bitstream, and may use the obtained information. The block shape information or the information about the split shape mode may be included in the bitstream related to various data units. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use the block shape information or the information about the split shape mode included in a sequence parameter set, a picture parameter set, a video parameter set, a slice header, or a slice segment header. Furthermore, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain, from the bitstream, a syntax element corresponding to the block shape information or the information about the split shape mode according to each largest coding unit, each reference coding unit, or each processing block, and may use the obtained syntax element.

Hereinafter, a method of determining a split rule, according to an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a split rule of an image. The split rule may be pre-determined between the image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule of the image, based on information obtained from a bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule based on the information obtained from at least one of a sequence parameter set, a picture parameter set, a video parameter set, a slice header, and a slice segment header. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule differently according to frames, slices, temporal layers, largest coding units, or coding units.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule based on block shape information of a coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the block shape information of the coding unit. The block shape information may include a size, shape, a ratio of width and height, and direction information of the coding unit. The image encoding apparatus 2200 and the image decoding apparatus 100 may pre-determine to determine the split rule based on the block shape information of the coding unit. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule based on the information obtained from the bitstream received from the image encoding apparatus 2200.

The shape of the coding unit may include a square and a non-square. When the lengths of the width and height of the coding unit are the same, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the shape of the coding unit to be a square. Also, when the lengths of the width and height of the coding unit are not the same, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the shape of the coding unit to be a non-square.

The size of the coding unit may include various sizes, such as 4×4, 8×4, 4×8, 8×8, 16×4, 16×8, and to 256×256. The size of the coding unit may be classified based on the length of a long side of the coding unit, the length of a short side, or the area. The image decoding apparatus 100 may apply the same split rule to coding units classified as the same group. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may classify coding units having the same lengths of the long sides as having the same size. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may apply the same split rule to coding units having the same lengths of long sides.

The ratio of the width and height of the coding unit may include 1:2, 2:1, 1:4, 4:1, 1:8, 8:1, 1:16, 16:1, or the like. Also, a direction of the coding unit may include a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The horizontal direction may indicate a case in which the length of the width of the coding unit is longer than the length of the height thereof. The vertical direction may indicate a case in which the length of the width of the coding unit is shorter than the length of the height thereof.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may adaptively determine the split rule based on the size of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may differently determine an allowable split shape mode based on the size of the coding unit. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether splitting is allowed based on the size of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a split direction according to the size of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable split type according to the size of the coding unit.

The split rule determined based on the size of the coding unit may be a split rule pre-determined between the image encoding apparatus 2200 and the image decoding apparatus 100. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule based on the information obtained from the bitstream.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may adaptively determine the split rule based on a location of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may adaptively determine the split rule based on the location of the coding unit in the image.

Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that coding units generated via different splitting paths do not have the same block shape. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the coding units generated via different splitting paths have the same block shape. The coding units generated via the different splitting paths may have different decoding process orders. Because the decoding process orders have been described above with reference to FIG. 12, details thereof are not provided again.

Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may adaptively determine the split rule based on information about a split shape mode of an encoded frame (or slice) and information about a split shape mode of a peripheral block adjacent to a current block. Hereinafter, the method of determining the split rule will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 17 through 24.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for describing the method of determining the split rule according to the size of the coding unit, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow an allowable size of a coding unit from maximum M×N to minimum P×Q. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may pre-determine a minimum size or a maximum size of the coding unit. M, N, P, and Q may be positive integers. M and N may be the same value or different values. P and Q may be the same value or different values. M×N and may include one of 256×256, 128×128, or 64×64. Also, P×Q may include 4×4.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the maximum size or the minimum size of the coding unit from a bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the maximum size or the minimum size of the coding unit from the bitstream, based on a pre-determined length of a minimum size. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine a pre-determined minimum length of a coding unit to be K. A new minimum size of a coding unit may be P×Q. A new maximum size of a coding unit may be M×N. To determine P, the image decoding apparatus 100 may receive log 2(A) from the bitstream. Here, a value oflog2(A) is equal to log 2(P)−log 2(K). The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain P according to Equation 1 below.

P=2{circumflex over ( )}(log 2(A)+log 2(K))  [Equation 1]

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine Q, M, and N in the same manner.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the new maximum size (M×N) of the coding unit, based on the new minimum size of the coding unit. For example, when the image decoding apparatus 100 obtains the length P of one side of the new minimum size of the coding unit according to Equation 1, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the length M of one side of the maximum size of the coding unit according to Equation 2.

M=2{circumflex over ( )}(log 2(B)+log 2(P))  [Equation 2]

Here, log 2(B) is a value obtained by the image decoding apparatus 100 from the bitstream, and may be equal to log 2(M)−log(P).

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split a largest coding unit into coding units of a first size. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the coding unit of the first size by splitting the largest coding unit. For example, when a current coding unit is the largest coding unit, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the coding units of the first size by quad-splitting the largest coding unit without a bin string corresponding to a split shape mode. In particular, when a size of a current coding unit 1701 is 256×256 and the size 256×256 is a maximum size of a coding unit, the image decoding apparatus 100 may quad-split the current coding unit 1701 into coding units 1702 of 125×128 sizes.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may split the coding unit of the first size into a plurality of coding units, based on the split rule and the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the coding units 1702 of the 128×128 size, which are obtained by quad-splitting the coding unit of the 256×256 size, into the plurality of coding units, based on the split rule and the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the size of the current coding unit is the same as the minimum size of the coding unit, the image decoding apparatus 100 may no longer split the current coding unit.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a split direction of the coding unit, based on the size of the current coding unit. For example, when the length of a short side of the current coding unit is the same as the minimum length of one side of the coding unit, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the current coding unit in a direction of dividing the length of the long side of the current coding unit. For example, the minimum length of one side of the coding unit may be 4. The image decoding apparatus 100 may binary-split a coding unit 1711 of a 8×4 size in a vertical direction to obtain coding units 1712 of 4×4 sizes. When a coding unit of a 8×4 size is binary-split in a horizontal direction, the length of the height of the coding unit is 2, and thus the image decoding apparatus 100 may no longer allow splitting in the horizontal direction.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when a non-square coding unit is tri-split, the image decoding apparatus 100 may perform tri-split in a direction of splitting a long side of a coding unit. When a square coding unit is tri-split, the image decoding apparatus 100 may perform tri-split in any one of a horizontal direction or a vertical direction. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to tri-split a coding unit 1721 of a 32×8 size. Because the coding unit 1721 of the 32×8 size is a coding unit having a long width, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to split a coding unit in a vertical direction. The image decoding apparatus 100 may perform tri-split in the vertical direction to obtain coding units 1722 and 1724 of a 8×8 size and a coding unit 1723 of a 16×8 size.

Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to tri-split a coding unit of a 8×32 size. Because a coding unit 1731 of the 8×32 size is a coding unit having a long height, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to split a coding unit in a horizontal direction. The image decoding apparatus 100 may perform tri-split in a horizontal direction to obtain coding units 1732 and 1734 of a 8×8 size and a coding unit 1733 of a 8×16 size.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for describing a split shape mode according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

A coding unit may be hierarchically split based on information about a split shape mode. The information about the split shape mode may include at least one of information indicating whether to perform splitting, split direction information, and split type information. The split type may include at least one of a binary split, a tri split, or a quad split.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may binary-split the coding unit. The binary split denotes splitting one of the width or the height of the coding unit. A coding unit 1801 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:1, a coding unit 1804 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:2, a coding unit 1805 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:4, a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:4 or 4:1 may be bisected. A coding unit 1802 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:1, a coding unit 1803 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:2, a coding unit 1806 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:4, a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:4 or 4:1 may be bisected.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may tri-split a coding unit. The tri split may denote splitting the width or height of the coding unit in 1:2:1. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the tri split may denote splitting in 1:1:2 or 2:1:1. A coding unit 1811 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:1, a coding unit 1813 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:2, a coding unit 1815 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:4, or a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:8 may be tri-split in a horizontal direction. Also, a coding unit 1812 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:1, a coding unit 1814 of which a ratio of the width and height is 2:1, a coding unit 1816 of which a ratio of the width and height is 4:1, or a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 8:1 may be tri-split in a vertical direction.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may quad-split a coding unit. The quad split may denote bisecting the width and height of the coding unit. At least one of a coding unit 1821 of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:1, a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:2, a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 2:1, a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:4, a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 4:1, a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 1:8, and a coding unit of which a ratio of the width and height is 8:1 may be quad-split.

The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine to use some of a plurality of split types. In other words, the image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine an allowable split type to be used to decode and encode the image. The allowable split type may be pre-determined between the image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the allowable split type based on information obtained from a bitstream. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use all of the binary split, the tri split, or the quad split. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use the binary split or the tri split. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use the binary split or the quad split.

Hereinafter, the method for determining a split rule will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 19.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing a method of determining a split rule, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 19 illustrates some of split rules allowed by the image decoding apparatus 100 in a table 1900, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable ratio of a width and height of a coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may pre-determine the allowable ratio of the width and height of the coding unit. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the pre-determined allowable ratio of the width and height of the coding unit without information received from a bitstream. Referring to a cell 1910, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:4, 4:1, 1:8, and 8:1 as allowable ratios.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable ratio of the width and height, based on the information obtained from the bitstream. The allowable ratio may be 1:2{circumflex over ( )}N or 2{circumflex over ( )}N 1:1. Here, N is a positive integer including 0. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may receive a flag from the bitstream to determine whether to use each of the ratios 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:4, 4:1, 1:8, 8:1, 1:16, and 16:1. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether to use a 1:1 ratio, based on a flag indicating whether to use the 1:1 ratio of the width and height of the coding unit.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine at least one allowable ratio of the width and height, based on a received index or bin string. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may group the ratios of the width and height of the coding unit. A first group may include a 1:1 ratio. A second group may include 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 ratios. A third group may include 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:4, and 4:1 ratios. When the received index or bin string indicates the third group, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:4, and 4:1 ratios as allowable ratios. Referring to the cell 1910, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:4, 4:1, 1:8, and 8:1 as allowable ratios.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable first range of the size of the coding unit, according to the ratio of the width and height of the coding unit. The size of the coding unit may include at least one of the length of width, the length of height, the length of a long side, the length of a short side, or an area of the coding unit. The allowable first range of the size may include a minimum or maximum size of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable first range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to the ratio of the width and height of the coding unit. The first range may include a maximum and minimum vales of the length of long side of the coding unit.

The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may pre-determine the allowable first range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to the ratio of the width and height of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable first range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to the pre-determined ratio of the width and height of the coding unit without the information received from the bitstream. The allowable first range of the length of long side of the coding unit according to the ratio of the width and height of the coding unit may be as shown in a cell 1930.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable first range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to the ratio of the width and height of the coding unit, based on the information received from the bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the allowable first range of the length of long side of the coding unit according to the ratio of the width and height of the coding unit as shown in the cell 1930, based on the information obtained from the bitstream.

The information obtained from the bitstream may have an array format. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may receive {{6, 0}, {5, 1}, {4, 2}, {0, 0}}. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable first range of the length of long side of the coding unit according to the ratio of the width and height as shown in the cell 1930, based on the received {{6, 0}, {5, 1}, {4, 2}, {0, 0}}. {6, 0} may indicate the first range of the long side of the coding unit of the 1:1 ratio. {5, 0} may indicate the first range of the long side of the coding unit of the 1:2 or 2:1 ratio. {4, 2} may indicate the first range of the long side of the coding unit of the 1:4 or 4:1 ratio. {0, 0} may indicate the first range of the long side of the coding unit of the 1:8 or 8:1 ratio.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable first range of the length of long side from an array based on Equation 1. For example, {6, 0} may indicate the first range of the long side of the coding unit of the 1:1 ratio. Here, ‘6’ may be information about the maximum value of the long side of the coding unit of the 1:1 ratio. Also ‘0’ may be information about the minimum value of the long side of the coding unit of the 1:1 ratio. The image decoding apparatus 100 may calculate 2{circumflex over ( )}(6+log 2(4)) based on Equation 1 to set 256 as the maximum value of long side of the coding unit. Here, a pre-determined minimum size K of the coding unit may be 4. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may calculate 2{circumflex over ( )}(0+log 2(4)) according to Equation 1 to set 4 as the minimum value of long side of the coding unit.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable ratio of the width and height of the coding unit, based on at least one of Equation 1, the maximum length of long side of the coding unit, or the minimum length of long side of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the first range of the length of long side, based on the information obtained from the bitstream. The first range of the length of long side of the coding unit may include the maximum length of long side of the coding unit or the minimum length of long side of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain a range of the length of short side, based on the range of the length of long side and the ratio of width and height. When the maximum value or minimum value of the length of short side is smaller than the pre-determined minimum size K of the coding unit, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that the corresponding ratio of width and height is not allowable. For example, when {0, 0} indicates the range of long side of the coding unit of the 1:8 or 8:1 ratio, the image decoding apparatus 100 may calculate 2{circumflex over ( )}(0+log 2(4)) based on Equation 1 to set 4 as the maximum value of long side of the coding unit. However, when the length of long side of the coding unit of the 1:8 or 8:1 ratio is 4, the length of short side needs to be 0.5. Because 0.5 is smaller than 4 that is the pre-determined minimum size of the coding unit, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that 1:8 or 8:1 ratio is not allowable.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether to allow information about a certain split shape mode, based on the split rule. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether it is possible to split a first coding unit, based on information about a first split shape mode. When the image decoding apparatus 100 splits the first coding unit according to the information about the first split shape mode, a second coding unit may be obtained. When the second coding unit does not satisfy at least one of an ‘allowable ratio of width and height of a coding unit’ or an ‘allowable range of a length of long side of the coding unit according to the ratio’, the image decoding apparatus 100 may not allow the first split shape mode. On the other hand, when the second coding unit satisfies the ‘allowable ratio of width and height of the coding unit’ and the ‘allowable range of the length of long side of the coding unit according to the ratio’, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the first split shape mode.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable split shape mode of a coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may pre-determine the allowable split shape mode of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the pre-determined allowable split shape mode of the coding unit without the information received from the bitstream. Referring to a cell 1920, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a binary split and a tri split as the allowable split shape mode. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the image decoding apparatus 100 may also determine a quad split as the allowable split shape mode.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable split shape mode of the coding unit from the bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether to use each split shape mode by receiving a flag from the bitstream. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the allowable split shape mode by receiving an index or a bin string. For example, referring to the cell 1920, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the binary split and the tri split. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the image decoding apparatus 100 may also determine a quad split as the allowable split shape mode.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable second range of the size of coding unit, according to the split shape mode of the coding unit. The size of the coding unit may include one of the length of width, the length of height, the length of long side, the length of short side, or the area of the coding unit. The allowable second range of the size may include the minimum or maximum size of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable second range of the length of long side of coding unit, according to the split shape mode of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may pre-determine the allowable second range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to the split shape mode of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable second range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to the pre-determined split shape mode of the coding unit without the information received from the bitstream. The allowable second range of the length of long side of the coding unit according to the split shape mode of the coding unit may be as shown in a cell 1940.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable second range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to the split shape mode of the coding unit, based on the information received from the bitstream. The information obtained from the bitstream may have an array format. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may receive {{5, 1}, {4, 2}}. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable second range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to the split shape mode as shown in the cell 1940, based on the received {{5, 1}, {4, 2}}. {5, 1} may indicate the second range of the long side of the coding unit capable being binary-split. {4, 2} may indicate the second range of the long side of the coding unit capable being tri-split.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable second range of the length of long side from an array based on Equation 1. For example, {5, 1} may indicate the second range of the long side of the coding unit capable being binary-split. Here, ‘5’ may be information about the maximum value of the long side of the coding unit capable being binary-split. Also, ‘1’ may be information about the minimum value of the long side of the coding unit capable being binary-split. The image decoding apparatus 100 may calculate 2{circumflex over ( )}(5+log 2(4)) based on Equation 1 to set 128 as the maximum value of long side of the coding unit. Here, a pre-determined minimum size K of the coding unit may be 4. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may calculate 2{circumflex over ( )}(1+log 2(4)) according to Equation 1 to set 8 as the minimum value of long side of the coding unit.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may change at least one of split rules based on the information obtained from the bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to entirely change the split rules, change some of the split rules, or not change the split rules, based on the information obtained from the bitstream. When the bitstream indicates to change some of the split rules, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain information about a ‘split rule to be changed’ and ‘content of split rule’, based on the information obtained from the bitstream. For example, the ‘split rule to be changed’ may be the maximum value of the length of long side of the coding unit capable of being binary-split. Also, the ‘content of split rule’ may be ‘4’. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the maximum value of the length of long side of the coding unit capable of being binary-split to be 64, based on Equation 1.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether to allow information about a certain split shape mode, based on the split rule. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that the length of long side of the current coding unit does not satisfy the allowable range of the length of long side of the coding unit according to the first split shape mode. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that the information about the first split shape mode is not allowed for the current coding unit. On the other hand, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that the length of long side of the current coding unit satisfies the allowable range of the length of long side of the coding unit according to the first split shape mode. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that the information about the first split shape mode is allowed for the current coding unit.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the split rule will be described with reference to FIG. 19.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the size of the coding unit is smaller than a predetermined size, the image decoding apparatus 100 may not allow the tri split. For example, referring to the cell 1940, when the length of long side of the current coding unit is smaller than 16, the image decoding apparatus 100 may not allow the tri split for the current coding unit.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that the binary split is possible for a coding unit of which the length of long side is from maximum M to minimum N. Here, M and N are each a positive integer. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the maximum length of long side capable of being binary-split to be 128. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the minimum length of long side capable of being binary split to be 8. In other words, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the binary split for a block of 128×128, 128×64, 64×128, 64×64, 64×32, 32×64, 8×4, and 4×8.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that the binary split is possible for a coding unit of which the length of long side is from maximum 128 to minimum 8. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that binary-split of 1:1 ratio, 1:2 ratio, and 2:1 ratio are allowed for the coding units. In this case, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the binary split for the coding units of the 128×128 128×64, 64×128, 64×64, 64×32, 32×64, 32×32, . . . , 16×8, 8×16, and 8×8 sizes.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that the binary split is possible for a coding unit of which the length of long side is from maximum 128 to minimum 8. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that binary-split of 1:1 ratio, 1:2 ratio, 2:1 ratio, 1:4 ratio, and 4:1 ratio are allowed for the coding units. In this case, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the binary split for the coding units of the 128×128, 128×64, 128×32, 32×128, 64×128, 16×16, 16×4, 4×16, and 8×8 sizes.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that the tri split is used only when the length of long side of the coding unit is smaller than M. Here, M is a positive integer. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to use the tri split only when the length of long side of the coding unit is smaller than 32.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that the tri split is used only when the length of long side of the coding unit is smaller than or equal to M and equal to or greater than N. Here, M and N are each a positive integer. For example, referring to the cell 1940, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to use the tri split only when the length of long side of the coding unit is smaller than 64 and greater than 16.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that the current coding unit is split into coding units of 1:4 ratio or 4:1 ratio only when the length of one side of the current coding unit is smaller than or equal to M and equal to or greater than N. Here, M and N are each a positive integer.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule such that the current coding unit is split into coding units of 1:2 ratio or 2:1 ratio only when the length of one side of the current coding unit is smaller than or equal to M and equal to or greater than N. Here, M and N are each a positive integer.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to use the quad split. The image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the quad split for the coding unit of which the length of long side is between M and N. Here, M and N are each a positive integer. The image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the quad split for the coding unit of which the length of long side is between 128 and 8. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may use pre-determined M and N. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine M and N, based on the information obtained from the bitstream.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to use the binary split. The image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the binary split for the coding unit of which the length of long side is between M and N. Here, M and N are each a positive integer. For example, referring to the cell 1920 and the cell 1940, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the binary split for the coding unit of which the length of long side is from 128 to 8. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may use pre-determined M and N. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine M and N, based on the information obtained from the bitstream.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to use the tri split. The image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the tri split for the coding unit of which the length of long side is between M and N. Here, M and N are each a positive integer. For example, referring to the cell 1920 and the cell 1940, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the tri split for the coding unit of which the length of long side is from 64 to 16. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may use pre-determined M and N. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine M and N, based on the information obtained from the bitstream.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to use a square coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the square coding unit of which the length of long side is between M and N. Here, M and N are each a positive integer. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the square coding unit of which the length of long side is between 128 and 4. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may use pre-determined M and N. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine M and N, based on the information obtained from the bitstream.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to use the coding unit of which the ratio of width and height is 1:2 or 2:1. The image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the coding unit of which the length of long side is from M to N and of the 1:2 or 2:1 ratio. Here, M and N are each a positive integer. For example, referring to the cell 1910 and the cell 1930, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the coding unit of which the length of long side is 128 to 8 and of the 1:2 or 2:1 ratio. In other words, the allowable sizes of the coding unit may be 128×64, 64×128, 64×32, 32×64, 32×16, 16×32, 16×8, 8×16, 8×4, and 4×8. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may use pre-determined M and N. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine M and N, based on the information obtained from the bitstream.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to use the coding unit of which the ratio of width and height is 1:4 or 4:1. The image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the coding unit of which the length of long side is from M to N and of the 1:4 or 4:1 ratio. Here, M and N are each a positive integer. For example, referring to the cell 1910 and the cell 1930, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the coding unit of which the length of long side is 64 to 16 and of the 1:4 or 4:1 ratio. In other words, the allowable sizes of the coding unit may be 64×16, 16×64, 32×8, 8×32, 16×4, and 4×16. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may use pre-determined M and N. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine M and N, based on the information obtained from the bitstream.

Also, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine to use the coding unit of which the ratio of width and height is 1:8, 8:1, 1:16, or 16:1. The image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the coding unit of which the length of long side is from M to N and of the 1:8, 8:1, 1:16, or 16:1 ratio.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may define a complexity level of the image. The complexity level of the image may be an amount of bit resources required to display the image. In other words, when the complexity level of the image is high, the amount of bit resources required to display the image is large. Also, when the complexity level of the image is low, the amount of bit resources required to display the image is small.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may adaptively determine the split rule based on the complexity level of the image. In other words, the split rule may be determined for each complexity level of the image. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine an allowable split shape mode based on the complexity level of the image. The image decoding apparatus 100 may divide the complexity level of the image to N. The image decoding apparatus 100 may independently assign the allowable split shape mode for each of the N complexity levels of the image. The assigned allowable split shape modes may be the same or different from each other. The image decoding apparatus 100 may receive information about the complexity level of the image from the bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the allowable split shape mode, based on the received complexity level of the image.

For example, when the information received from the bitstream indicates a first complexity level, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the quad split. When the information received from the bitstream indicates a second complexity level, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the quad split and the binary split. When the information received from the bitstream indicates a third complexity level, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the quad split, the binary split, and the tri split. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may pre-determine the allowable split shape mode according to the complexity levels of the image. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto and the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable split shape mode according to the complexity levels of the image from the bitstream.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine allowable block shape information, based on the complexity level of the image. The image decoding apparatus 100 may divide the complexity level of the image to N. The image decoding apparatus 100 may assign the allowable block shape information for each of the N complexity levels of the image. The image decoding apparatus 100 may receive information about the complexity level of the image from the bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the allowable block shape information, based on the received complexity level of the image.

For example, when the information received from the bitstream indicates the first complexity level, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the square coding unit. When the information received from the bitstream indicates the second complexity level, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the coding unit of which the ratio of width and height is 1:1, 1:2, or 2:1. When the information received from the bitstream indicates the third complexity level, the image decoding apparatus 100 may allow the coding unit of which the ratio of width and height is 1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:4, or 4:1. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may pre-determine the allowable block shape information according to the complexity levels of the image. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto and the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the allowable block shape information according to the complexity levels of the image from the bitstream.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for describing a method of determining a split rule, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule based on a prediction mode. The prediction mode may include an intra mode and an inter mode. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may use a pre-determined split rule according to prediction modes. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the split rule according to the prediction modes from a bitstream.

Referring to a table 2000, the image decoding apparatus 100 may not allow a coding unit of which a ratio of width and height is 1:8 or 8:1 in the inter mode. Referring to a cell 2010, when the ratio of width and height is 1:8 or 8:1, the image decoding apparatus 100 may set an allowable maximum length of a long side and an allowable minimum length of the long side of the coding unit to 0. In other words, the image decoding apparatus 100 may not allow the coding unit of which the ratio of width and height is 1:8 or 8:1.

Although not shown in the table 2000, even in the intra mode, the image decoding apparatus 100 may not allow the coding unit of which the ratio of width and height is 1:8 or 8:1.

FIG. 24 is a diagram for describing a method of splitting a current coding unit.

split_unit( ) may indicate a syntax for splitting the current coding unit. Information (split_mode) about a split shape mode may include at least one of information indicating whether to perform splitting, split direction information, and split type information. The information indicating whether to perform splitting indicates whether to split the current coding unit. The split direction information indicates a split into one of a horizontal direction or a vertical direction.

The split type information indicates that a coding unit is split via one of a binary split, a tri split, or a quad split. The binary split denotes splitting one of width or height of a coding unit by ½. The tri split denotes splitting one of width or height of a coding unit by 1:2:1. The quad split denotes splitting of width and height of a coding unit by ½, respectively.

For convenience of description, in the disclosure, the information (split_mode) about the split shape mode is distinguished into the information indicating whether to perform splitting, the split direction information, and the split type information, but is not limited thereto. The information about the split shape mode may be represented in combination of the information indicating whether to perform splitting, the split direction information, or the split type information. For example, the information (split_mode) about the split shape mode may indicate that the current coding unit is not split (NO_SPLIT). Also, the information (split_mode) about the split shape mode may include a quad split (QUAD_SPLIT). Also, the information (split_mode) about the split shape mode may indicate a binary vertical split (BI_VER_SPLIT). Also, the information (split_mode) about the split shape mode may indicate a binary vertical split (BI_VER_SPLIT). Also, the information (split_mode) about the split shape mode may indicate a binary horizontal split (BI_HOR_SPLIT). Also, the information (split_mode) about the split shape mode may indicate a tri vertical split (TRI_VER_SPLIT). Also, the information (split_mode) about the split shape mode may indicate a tri horizontal split (TRI_HOR_SPLIT).

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the information about the split shape mode based on the bin string. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine whether to split a coding unit, a split direction, and a split type, based on the bin string.

The bin string is information in a binary number. The bin string may include at least one bit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the number of bits of the bin string, based on the number of allowable split shape modes from the current coding unit. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that there is a mode of splitting or not splitting the current coding unit. In other words, the number of allowable split shape modes from the current coding unit may be 2. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the split shape mode of the coding unit, based on the bin string of the information about the split shape mode including one bit. The one bit may indicate whether to perform splitting. The bit may indicate not to perform splitting (NO_SPLIT). When the bit indicates to perform splitting, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split direction or the split type, based on the allowable split shape mode of the current coding unit.

Also, when the number of allowable split shape modes from the current coding unit is 3, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the split shape mode of the coding unit, based on the bin string including 2 bits. A first bit of the bin string may indicate whether to perform splitting. A second bit of the bin string may indicate the split type or the split direction. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split direction or the split type based on the allowable split shape mode of the current coding unit.

Also, when the number of allowable split shape modes from the current coding unit is 4 or 5, the image decoding apparatus 100 may split the coding unit based on the bin string including 3 bits. A first bit of the bin string may indicate whether to perform splitting. A second bit of the bin string may indicate the split type or the split direction. A third bit of the bin string may indicate the split direction or the split type. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split direction or the split type based on the allowable split shape mode of the current coding unit.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the information about the split shape mode from the bitstream, but is not limited thereto. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the split shape mode, based on the split rule pre-agreed with the image encoding apparatus 2200. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine information about a pre-agreed split shape mode, based on the size of the current coding unit. For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the split shape mode for the coding unit of the maximum size to be quad split (QUAD_SPLIT). Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the split shape mode for the coding unit of the minimum size to be no split (NO_SPLIT).

FIG. 21 is tables for describing a method of transmitting and receiving information about a split shape mode of a coding unit, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may receive a bitstream from the image encoding apparatus 2200. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain a bin string corresponding to a split shape mode, from the bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain information about the split shape mode, based on the bin string. The image decoding apparatus 100 may split a current coding unit based on the information about the split shape mode.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain a candidate split shape mode applicable to the current coding unit, based on a split rule. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the candidate split shape mode applicable to the current coding unit by referring to the table 1900 of FIG. 19 or the table 2000 of FIG. 20.

For example, the current coding unit may have a size of 64×32. Referring to FIG. 19, because the length of long side of the current coding unit is 64, the image decoding apparatus 100 may use a binary split and a tri split. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a case of not splitting the current coding unit as a first candidate split shape mode. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a case of binary-splitting the current coding unit horizontally as a second candidate split shape mode. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a case of binary-splitting the current coding unit vertically as a third candidate split shape mode. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a case of tri-splitting the current coding unit vertically as a fourth candidate split shape mode. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine a case of tri-splitting the current coding unit horizontally as a fifth candidate split shape mode.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may exclude a split shape mode not allowable in the split rule from a candidate split shape mode. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the split rule may determine to tri-split only the long side of the coding unit. Accordingly, the image decoding apparatus 100 may exclude the fifth candidate split shape mode of tri-splitting the coding unit of the 64×32 size in a horizontal direction from the candidate split shape mode.

Also, when the coding unit is split according to a split shape mode and a coding unit having a block shape not allowable by the split rule is derived, the image decoding apparatus 100 may exclude the corresponding split shape mode from the candidate split shape mode.xx For example, the current coding unit may have a size of 64×16. When the current coding unit is tri-split horizontally, coding units after splitting may have sizes of 64×8 and 64×4. In this case, 64×4 has a ratio of 16:1. Because the split rule according to the table 1900 of FIG. 19 does not allow 1:16 or 16:1, the image decoding apparatus 100 may exclude a mode of tri-splitting horizontally from the candidate split shape mode.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the split shape mode of the current coding unit, based on at least one of the candidate split shape mode, the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode, and block shape information of the current coding unit. In particular, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain a split shape mode index of the current coding unit, based on the number of candidate split shape modes and the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the split shape mode of the current coding unit, based on the block shape information of the current coding unit and the split shape mode index.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the split shape mode index as follows. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the number of candidate split shape modes. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode from the bitstream. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split shape mode index of the current coding unit, based on a table (or an array). The table may include a value of bin string according to the number of candidate split shape modes and the split shape mode index.

For example, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain “110” as the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode, from the bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the split shape mode index from the bin string, based on a table 2120. As described above, the image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that the current coding unit may have four candidate split shape modes from the first candidate split shape mode to the fourth candidate split shape mode. Accordingly, the image decoding apparatus 100 may refer to a column 2121 where the number of candidate split shape modes is ‘4’. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain ‘2’ as the split shape mode index based on the bin string ‘110’.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the information about the split shape mode based on at least one of the split shape mode index and the block shape information of the coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the block shape information of the current coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may select the information about the split shape mode, based on the obtained block shape information of the current coding unit. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the information about the split shape mode, based on the table (or array). The table may include the information about the split shape mode according to the split shape mode index and the block shape information of the coding unit. The block shape information may include a direction, size, shape, and ratio of width and height of the coding unit.

For example, when the split shape mode index is ‘2’, the image decoding apparatus 100 may refer to a cell 2111 of a table 2110. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine that the current coding unit has a 63×32 size. Because the width of the current coding unit is longer than the height thereof, the image decoding apparatus 100 may refer to a row indicated by ‘w>h’. “w>h” may denote that the current coding unit is in a horizontal direction. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the information about the split shape mode to be a horizontal bi split.

The image decoding apparatus 100 may split a current coding unit based on the information about the split shape mode. For example, when the current coding unit has the 64×32 size and the split shape mode is the horizontal bi split, the current coding unit may be split into two coding units of 64×16 size.

Referring to the table 2120, the image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may adaptively use the bitstream based on the split rule. The image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine the number of bits used by the information about the split shape mode, based on the split rule. For example, when the number of candidate split shape modes is 5, the image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 generate the information about the split shape mode by using 4 bits. However, when the number of candidate split shape modes is 4, the information about the split shape mode may be generated by using 3 bits. Because the image decoding apparatus 100 and the image encoding apparatus 2200 generate the bitstream while excluding a block shape and a split shape mode not allowable according to the split rule, efficiency of bits may be increased.

FIG. 22 is a schematic block diagram of an image encoding apparatus according to an embodiment.

The image encoding apparatus 2200 may include an encoder 2210 and a bitstream generator 2220. The encoder 2210 may receive an input image and encode the input image. The bitstream generator 2220 may output a bitstream based on the encoded input image. Also, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may transmit the bitstream to the image decoding apparatus 100. Detailed operations of the image encoding apparatus 2200 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 23.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart of an image encoding method according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 relates to the image encoding method and includes content similar to the image decoding method and apparatus described in FIGS. 3 through 21, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

The image encoding apparatus 2200 determines a split rule of a coding unit (operation 2310). The image encoding apparatus 2200 obtains a bin string corresponding to a split shape mode for splitting a coding unit into a plurality of coding units, based on at least one of the split rule and information about a split shape mode of the coding unit (operation 2320). The image encoding apparatus 2200 generates a bitstream by entropy-encoding the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode (operation 2330). The image encoding apparatus 2200 determines an allowable range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to a ratio of the width and height of the coding unit, so as to determine the split rule. The image encoding apparatus 2200 determines the allowable range of the length of long side of the coding unit, according to the split shape mode of the coding unit, so as to determine the split rule.

The image encoding apparatus 2200 may use context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) or context-adaptive variable length coding (CAVLC) to entropy-encode the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode of the current coding unit. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine a context model for the bin string, based on block shape information of the current coding unit. Also, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may entropy-encode the bin string for the current coding unit, based on the context model. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the context model based on the block shape information of the current coding unit. Also, the image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain the bin string corresponding to the split shape mode of the current coding unit by entropy-encoding the bitstream based on the context model.

The image encoding apparatus 2200 may generate the bitstream based on the split rule. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the split rule may be pre-determined between the image encoding apparatus 2200 and the image decoding apparatus 100.

Also, the split shape mode may include at least one of a binary split, a tri split, or a quad split.

Also, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may quad-split a largest coding unit into coding units of a first size. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may generate information about a split shape mode for splitting the coding unit of the first size into a plurality of coding units based on the split rule.

The image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine the split rule for each complexity level of an image. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine the complexity level by measuring complexity of the image. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may transmit the complexity level to the image decoding apparatus 100 via the bitstream. The image decoding apparatus 100 may determine the split rule according to the complexity level. The split rule according to the complexity level may be pre-determined between the image encoding apparatus 2200 and the image decoding apparatus 100.

In order to obtain the bin string about the information about the split shape mode, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may obtain a candidate split shape mode applicable to the current coding unit, based on the split rule. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may obtain the candidate split shape mode applicable to the current coding unit, by referring to the table 1900 of FIG. 19 or the table 2000 of FIG. 20.

For example, the current coding unit may have a size of 64×32. Referring to FIG. 19, because the length of long side of the current coding unit is 64, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may use a binary split and a tri split. Also, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine a case of not splitting the current coding unit as a first candidate split shape mode. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine a case of binary-splitting the current coding unit horizontally as a second candidate split shape mode. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine a case of binary-splitting the current coding unit vertically as a third candidate split shape mode. Also, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine a case of tri-splitting the current coding unit vertically as a fourth candidate split shape mode.

The image encoding apparatus 2200 may obtain the information about the split shape mode of the current coding unit. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may encode the current coding unit according to various split shape modes. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may select an optimum split shape mode among the various split shape modes. A rate-distortion cost may be considered to select the optimum split shape mode. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may obtain the information about the split shape mode, based on the optimum split shape mode.

The image encoding apparatus 2200 may obtain the information about the split shape mode based on at least one of the block shape information, the candidate split shape mode, and the split shape mode of the current coding unit.

The image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine a split shape mode index, based on the block shape information of the coding unit and the split shape mode of the coding unit. For example, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine the split shape mode of the current coding unit to be a horizontal direction binary split. The image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine that the block shape information of the current coding unit is a 64×32 size. Referring to the table 2110, because the width of the current coding unit is longer than the height thereof, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may refer to the row indicated by ‘w>h’. Also, because the split shape mode of the current coding unit is the horizontal direction binary split, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine a split shape mode index to be ‘2’.

The image encoding apparatus 2200 may obtain the information about the split shape mode, based on the split shape mode index and the number of candidate split shape modes. For example, as described above, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may determine that the current coding unit may have four candidate split shape modes from the first candidate split shape mode to the fourth candidate split shape mode. Accordingly, the image encoding apparatus 2200 may refer to a column 2121 where the number of candidate split shape modes is ‘4’. The image decoding apparatus 100 may obtain ‘110’ as the information about the split shape mode, based on the split shape mode index ‘2’.

Hereinabove, various embodiments have been described. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the disclosure may be implemented in a modified form without departing from the essential features of the disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the disclosure is set forth in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the disclosure.

Meanwhile, the above-described embodiments of the disclosure may be written as a program executable on a computer, and may be implemented in a general-purpose digital computer operating a program using a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes a storage medium such as a magnetic storage medium (e.g., ROM, floppy disk, hard disk, or the like) or an optical reading medium (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD, or the like). 

1. An image decoding apparatus comprising: a receiver configured to: obtain, from a bitstream, a bin string corresponding to a split shape mode of a coding unit, the split shape mode being which split type of the coding unit is allowable among a quad split type, a binary split type and a tri split type, and obtain, from the bitstream, information about an allowable range of a length of a long side of the coding unit, a width and a height of which has a 1:4 ratio; and a decoder configured to: when the split type of the coding unit is allowed to be the binary split type or the tri split type according to the split shape mode, determine an allowable maximum length of the long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio, based on the information about the allowable range of the length of long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio, and determine an allowable minimum length of the long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio, when it is determined that the coding unit is allowed to be split into two or three coding units based on the allowable maximum length of the long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio and the allowable minimum length of the long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio, split the coding unit into the two or three coding units, and decode the two or three coding units when the two or three coding units are not further split into smaller coding units, and when the split type of the coding unit is not allowed to be the binary split type or the tri split type according to the split shape mode, spli/t the coding unit into four coding units by dividing the height and the width of the coding unit in half, and decode the four coding units when the four coding units are not further split into smaller coding units.
 2. An image encoding apparatus comprising: an encoder configured to: determine an allowable maximum length of a long side of a coding unit, a width and a height of which has a 1:4 ratio, determine an allowable minimum length of the long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio; determine a split shape mode of the coding unit, the split shape mode being which split type of the coding unit is allowable among a quad split type, a binary split type and a tri split type, encode two or three coding units split from the coding unit when the split type of the coding unit is allowed to be the binary split type or the tri split type, and it is determined that the coding unit is allowed to be split into the two or three coding units based on the allowable maximum length of the long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio and the allowable minimum length of the long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio, and generate information about an allowable range of a length of long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio based on the allowable maximum length of a long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio; and a bitstream generator configured to generate a bitstream including a bin string corresponding to the split shape mode of the coding unit and a bin string corresponding to the information about the allowable range of the length of long side of the coding unit with the 1:4 ratio, wherein when the split type of the coding unit is not allowed to be the binary split type or the tri split type, the coding unit is split into four coding units by dividing the height and the width of the coding unit in half, and the four coding units are encoded when the four coding units are not further split into smaller coding units. 